Police Disperse Protesting Teachers Using Sound Grenades, Water Cannon

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Publish : 08 Nov 2025, 06:37 PM

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Police dispersed a procession of the government primary school assistant teachers using sound grenades and water cannon on Saturday afternoon, who were marching towards Shahbagh to press home their three-point demand including a 10th-grade pay scale.

Primary teachers started marching from the Central Shaheed Minar, but their progress was soon blocked by the police. The situation escalated when the teachers attempted to push past the barricades, leading police to use force, including sound grenades and a water cannon, to disperse the demonstrators.

The procession is being carried out under the banner of Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council by four organisations — Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association (Kashem–Shahin), Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association (Shahin–Lipi) and Assistant Teachers’ 10th Grade Implementation Council.

Earlier in the morning, thousands of assistant teachers from across the country gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar, launching a continuous sit-in programme demanding the 10th-grade pay scale, resolution of higher-grade issues after 10 and 16 years of service, and 100% departmental promotion. They vowed to continue their protest until the demands are met.

No logic behind teachers’ demand for 10th grade: Primary and Mass Education Adviser

According to Primary and Mass Education Adviser Prof. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, a direct jump in grading for primary school assistant teachers, specifically from grade 13 to grade 10, is unjustified.

"Most teachers themselves believe that the demand for a 10th-grade pay scale is not logical. Head teachers have been upgraded to the 10th grade, but the number of assistant teachers is much higher, making such a promotion impractical. There is no valid reason to jump from the 13th to the 10th grade in one step. We are working to ensure that they can at least get to the 11th grade. At this point, their decision to take to the streets is unjustified," he said during a views-exchange meeting with journalists at Khulna District Shilpakala Academy this morning.

“The Ministry of Public Administration has stated that the government’s policy is to provide 80% of positions through promotion and keep 20% for new recruitment,” he added.

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