Teachers under the banner of the Alliance for Nationalization of MPO-Listed Education have launched a sit-in demonstration in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, demanding a 20% increase in their house rent allowance.
The program began on Sunday morning with participation from teachers who arrived from across the country.
The movement is being led by Delwar Hossain Azizi, President of the alliance and Member Secretary of the Bangladesh Madrasa Teachers and Employees Forum.
He said that NCP’s Chief Organizer (Southern Region) Hasnat Abdullah, Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin, and Joint Member Secretary and Education Affairs Secretary Faisal Mahmud Shanto are expected to express solidarity with the teachers at the event.
Earlier, the MPO-listed teachers rejected the government’s recent circular that increased the house rent allowance by only Tk 500. They have indicated that the sit-in could turn into a continuous protest if their demands are not met.
On October 5, the Finance Ministry issued a circular revising the house rent allowance for MPO-listed teachers and employees of private educational institutions from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500, subject to certain conditions.
Following widespread dissatisfaction, the Ministry of Education submitted a new proposal to the Finance Ministry on the same day, recommending further increases in house rent allowance (by 20%), medical allowance, and Eid bonuses for employees (up to 75%). The proposal reportedly included several options for the Finance Ministry to consider—adjustments of 20%, 15%, 10%, and 5%—with corresponding budget calculations.
Teacher representatives say they will continue their sit-in until a final gazette notification is issued, approving the revised benefits.
Notably, on August 13, leaders of the alliance met with the Education Adviser at the Ministry of Education. Following that meeting, it was agreed in principle to raise the house rent allowance by 20%, the medical allowance to Tk 1,500, and the festival bonus for staff to 75%. Based on those commitments, the MPO-listed teachers have now begun their indefinite sit-in in Dhaka to press for the official implementation of those decisions.
