In Bangladesh, police clashed with protesting primary school teachers demanding the nationalization of private schools. The demonstration saw injuries and was marked by police using force against the demonstrators. Teachers also voiced frustrations over educational inequities affecting special schools. These events expose broader issues with the government’s educational policies and operational failures.
On Wednesday, police in Bangladesh clashed with teachers from private primary schools, employing batons and water cannons against them during a protest in Dhaka. The demonstration was organized by the Bangladesh Non-government Primary Teachers Association, asserting demands for the nationalization of private primary schools. Injuries were reported, including at least six individuals.
The protest occurred near the Jatiya Press Club as teachers attempted to march to the residence of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. Teacher Shahinur Rahman stated, “We were marching towards Jamuna to press our legitimate demands, but police used water cannon and charged batons on us unjustifiably.”
Participants expressed discontent regarding the non-nationalization of private schools, emphasizing that approximately 800,000 students have been deprived of their educational rights due to political and bureaucratic complications, according to Firoz Uddin, General Secretary of the association.
In a separate incident, police removed teachers protesting on behalf of special schools for disabled children at a nearby intersection, advocating for critical reforms. Their list of demands includes recognition and pay inclusion for special schools and the establishment of facilities to support disabled students.
These protests highlight ongoing dissatisfaction with the interim government’s handling of educational policies, with recent news indicating failures in distributing textbooks to students nationwide, reflecting a broader concern regarding the administration’s efficacy.
The recent protests in Bangladesh underscore the urgent need for educational reforms and the nationalization of private primary schools. The actions taken by police against protesting teachers have sparked outrage and highlighted the government’s failure to address fundamental issues within the education sector. Teachers advocate for better conditions and support for both primary and special education, revealing significant operational challenges under the interim government.
Original Source: www.thehansindia.com
