Police block primary teachers' march, deploy tear gas, sound grenades

Police halted a march by primary school assistant teachers toward Shahbagh on Saturday, escalating into clashes. 

To disperse the protesters, police personnel fired water cannons, sound grenades, and tear gas. 

The confrontation occurred around 3:30 pm.

Teacher leader Shamsuddin Masud told Daily Samakal that over 100 teachers sustained injuries.

The protest began earlier in the morning with a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar, demanding a three-point demand that includes upgrading salaries to the 10th grade. 

Thousands of teachers from across districts assembled from 9 am and vowed to continue until their demands are fulfilled.

The action is coordinated by the Primary Teachers' Demand Implementation Council, comprising four groups: Bangladesh Primary Teachers Association (Kashem-Shahin), Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers Association, Bangladesh Primary Teachers Association (Shahin-Lipi), and the Assistant Teachers 10th Grade Implementation Council. 

Teachers from the third recruitment phase in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions have also pledged to join.

Fatima Shabnam, an assistant teacher at Alhari Durgapur Government Primary School in Mymensingh's Trishal Upazila, highlighted pay disparities: "Office assistants at the upazila accounting office receive 12th-grade salaries, while we teachers are stuck in the 13th grade. This discrimination denies us respect."

She added that their low income prevents buying quality fish at markets or properly celebrating Eid, even with two bonuses—let alone affording sacrifices.

Yasin Mia, a teacher from Shariatpur's Naria Upazila, noted, "Government drivers earn in the 12th grade, but teachers remain in the 13th. This devaluation of educators is intolerable."

Khairun Nahar Lipi, general secretary of Bangladesh Primary Teachers Association (Shahin-Lipi), stated, "We've held repeated discussions with no outcomes. This time, we'll stay on the streets until our demands are met."

The teachers' three demands are: 10th-grade salary fixation, resolution of higher-grade issues after 10 and 16 years of service, and full implementation of departmental promotions.