Primary Schools Completely Shut Down After 4-Month Textbook Delay

Staff Reporter

Dhaka, May 26, 2025: Academic activities have completely halted in government primary schools nationwide. Starting Monday, assistant teachers began a full-day work abstention to press for their demands, paralyzing education for approximately 19.7 million students across 65,567 primary schools. Teachers have declared the strike will continue until their demands are met.

The protest began on May 5 with one-hour daily strikes, later escalating to two-hour and half-day stoppages. With no government assurance regarding their three-point demands, teachers escalated to full-day strikes, exacerbating concerns about students’ learning losses. According to Primary and Mass Education Ministry data, current primary enrollment stands at 19,713,685 students – over 1.2 million fewer than the previous year.

Teachers’ core demands include eliminating pay disparities and upgrading to Grade 10 salaries. Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud, convener of the Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, stated: “While HSC, diploma and graduate qualifications receive Grade 10 in other professions, primary teachers remain deprived. We’ve protested for years through demonstrations and petitions, but the government remains indifferent.”

Compounding the crisis, students received textbooks four months into the academic year before this strike further disrupted learning. Experts warn the interim government’s handling is pushing the education system toward deeper crisis.

No official response has been issued by authorities. Educationists and parents urgently demand resolution to safeguard teachers’ rights and students’ futures.