Daily Bangla Times: The teachers of the Polytechnic Institute have started a continuous sit-in programme as they are unpaid for 34 consecutive months. They started a sit-in programme in front of the Directorate of Technical Education at Agargaon in the capital from 10:00 am on Sunday (April 30).

They claimed 777 teachers were appointed under Skills Training and Enhancement Project (STEP) in 2012 to solve the shortage of teachers in 49 government polytechnic institutes. But, due to several complications, their salary has been withheld for 34 months. As a result, they are leading a very miserable life.

Maria Akhter, one of the teachers, said, we were appointed through examination following all the rules. We also performed our duties properly. But, our salary has been withheld for 34 months due to various issues including revenue sector process, waiting for the Prime Minister’s permission. Last, we came to know, our file is in the Ministry of Public Administration.

She said, there are many of us who are the only earner in the family. Due to lack of salary, they cannot provide treatment to their parents and send their children to school. Our sit-in programme will continue until the demands are met.

Earlier, a press conference was held under the banner of the Bangladesh Polytechnic Teachers Federation and Amra Muktijoddha’s Children (technical wing) at the National Press Club on Thursday (April 27) demanding salary. The written statement was read at the press conference by Amra Muktijodha’s Children President (technical branch) Suman Haider.

He said, from July 2020 to December 2021, we are living an inhumane life with families without getting any salary. Some of the teachers have died due to lack of medical treatment because of suspension of salary for 34 months. Many are living with mental and physical ailments. Teachers are now extremely frustrated due to the slow pace of transfer process in the revenue sector despite the directives of the Prime Minister.

In the press conference, demands are made for payment of arrears of salaries and quick assimilation of jobs to the revenue sector to end the long-standing inexplicable sufferings of teachers in consideration of their families. If their demands are not met, they announced a sit-in programme in front of the Directorate of Technical Education from April 30.