Tears and Determination: Teachers protest for 8 days, demand job reinstatement

For the eighth day in a row, a group of teachers from across Bangladesh have been gathering to protest in front of the National Museum in Dhaka. 

They are demanding the reinstatement of their canceled jobs as assistant teachers in government primary schools.

On Thursday, February 13, protesters arrived early, with around 300 individuals showing up to stand their ground. 

Many of them were wrapped in national flags, holding placards, and chanting powerful slogans.

These teachers came from different parts of the country, and some even brought their children along. 

Among the protesters, a few could be seen wearing shrouds. One woman, dressed in a shroud, was seen standing with her two young children, all three raising their voices in unity. 

Her six-year-old child, in a shroud as well, would often wipe away his mother‍‍`s tears.

Rasheda Begum, who came all the way from Chattogram, said 

"My older daughter kept seeing me crying, so she tried to comfort me," Rasheda shared. 

"She said, ‍‍`Mom, don’t cry. Your job will come back. When I grow up, I will make sure you live a happy life.‍‍`"

Rasheda’s pain was clear as she explained, "The government gave us jobs and then took them away. That’s why we are out here, in the streets. If our jobs aren’t returned, we’ll die here with our children."