Bangladeshi secondary school teachers demonstrate in capital Dhaka for government recognition of their jobs and better pay. (Photo by Stephan Uttom/ucanews.com)
Dozens of Bangladeshi teachers have fallen ill on a "fast unto death" hunger strike in the capital Dhaka for government recognition of their jobs and better pay.
At least 134 high school teachers had fallen ill and fainted as of Jan. 26 following weeks of a sit-in protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka.
They were taken to various hospitals in Dhaka for treatment.
Since Jan. 10, more than 1,000 teachers from private high schools across the country have been demonstrating to press the government to nationalize their schools and jobs immediately.
As the government seemed unmoved by their call, the teachers started their fast unto death on Jan. 15
With many teachers absent, dozens of schools have been partially or fully closed since the strike started.
Teachers, mostly from rural areas, say they have been struggling to support their families with poor salaries and benefits for years.
"I have a master's degree and get a salary of 12,000 taka (US$145) a month, while a caretaker in a government school gets 14,000. This is not just discrimination but also a dishonor to teachers and the teaching profession," Sajedul Islam, a teacher from a school in east-central Brahmanbaria district, told ucanews.com.
Nationalization of schools and better pay for teachers would not just benefit us but also the whole nation, he said.
"Students cannot expect a good education from teachers who are poor and always worried about family needs. By paying attention to our demands, the government would pave the way for better education for students," Islam added.
Abdus Salam, a teacher from southern Barguna district, said poor pay and benefits had placed his family in an endless struggle.
"I sent my son to work to support the family after he passed 12th Grade as I couldn't afford his higher education costs. In Bangladesh, 97 percent of students come to private schools for education but shockingly we are among the most neglected and discriminated people," Salam told ucanews.com.
"If the government wants to save the education system from destruction, our schools must be nationalized and discrimination over our salary should end. We will die on the streets if the government does not pay heed to our call."
Abdul Khalek, coordinator of the protest organizer, the Liaison Forum for Nationalization of Private Education, said officials are trying to talk to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resolve the impasse.
"Our backs are pressed against the wall. Without any positive response, we won't give up our struggle," Khalek told ucanews.com.
The government is considering the issue, said Abdul Kuddus, a ruling Awami League lawmaker and a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education.
"We will talk to the prime minister and education minister over the issue, and we will come to a decision soon," Kuddus said.
Church supports teachers
Holy Cross Brother Nirmol F. Gomes, chaplain of the Catholic Teachers' Team, supported the demands of the protesting teachers.
"No doubt teachers in rural private schools face discrimination and negligence over pay and benefits. We support their demands and the government must take the initiative to offer them a chance to teach and live with dignity," Brother Gomes told ucanews.com.
Brother Gomes, acting principal of St. Philip's High School and College in Dinajpur, said nationalization threatens church-run education institutes.
"If nationalized, the teachers would get double pay, and it might cause frustrations among teachers in church-run schools who already enjoy good pay. We take less in tuition fees from poor students in rural areas, so any unrealistic demand for a pay rise would put us in trouble," he added.
In Bangladesh, primary education is from Grade 1 to 5 and secondary education from Grade 6 to 10. Primary education is completely free but at secondary level it's free only in government schools.