Hunger-striking teachers have rejected the assuring words of Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, demanding a specific time frame for inclusion into the Monthly Pay Order system.
Nahid on Tuesday went to speak to the agitating teachers and employees, who had been observing the hunger strike in a bid to press home their demand of including their institutions on the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) list in front of the National Press Club since Sunday.
“We will continue our hunger strike until we get any deadline to meet our demand,” said Golam Mahmudunnabi, president of the demonstrating banner ‘Non-MPO Educational Institution Teacher-Staff Federation’.
"The government has been giving us such assurance for the last 10 years but we didn't see any outcome of it yet," said Sheikh Rafikul Islam, president of Tangail district unit of the federation.
Mentioning the demand as their 'demand of life', he said the demonstrators want specific declaration from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Meanwhile, at least 35 teachers, including federation president Golam Mahmuddunabi, fell sick and they were taken to hospital.
Nahid said “The education ministry can’t do it (enlistment) by its own. It needs approval of the cabinet. I met Finance Minister AMA Muhith this morning and he assured me of starting the process.”
The education minister also requested the teachers to have patience as the process would require more time.
The Minister, accompanied by Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Md Sohorab Hossain, reached at Press Club around 11am on Tuesday.