Dhaka, June 5, 2026: The continuous sit-in strike demanding the implementation of MPO (Monthly Pay Order) facilities for grant-aided Independent Ebtedayi Madrasas registered under the Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board, verified according to the 2025 MPO policy, and the release of salary arrears and grants from January 2026 for teachers appointed against ministry-approved vacant posts, has entered its 16th day in front of the National Press Club.
The program began on May 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM under the initiative of the Grant-Aided Independent Ebtedayi Madrasa Teachers Welfare Committee. The event was presided over by the committee’s Convener, Maulana Shamsul Haque Ansari, and moderated by Member Secretary Hafiz Maulana Mufti Abdul Hannan Hossain.
Among those present were Coordinator Maulana Sheikh Nazrul Islam Mahbub, Md. Golam Azam, Maulana Abdur Rahman Shahjahan, Abdus Sattar, Rakibul Islam, Teachers’ Council President Md. Nurunnabi, General Secretary Md. Shamsul Alam, Teachers’ Society President Md. Altaf Hossain, Kazi Nazrul Islam Hiron, Jahangir Alam Badsha, S.M. Nazrul Islam, Maulana Abdus Chattar, Maulana Zuhurul Alam, Maulana Omar Faruk, Maulana Abul Kalam, Maulana Abdur Razzaq, Maulana Imdad, Md. Shahidul Islam, and leaders from various districts and upazilas across the country.
The speakers stated that, following the public notice issued by the Technical and Madrasah Education Division of the Ministry of Education, grant-aided Independent Ebtedayi Madrasas submitted MPO applications in accordance with the regulations between July 3 and July 10, 2025. However, despite nearly ten months having passed, not a single madrasa has been brought under the MPO system. Furthermore, although appointments to vacant posts were officially approved by the Ministry of Education, the salaries and allowances of the appointed teachers have not yet been released. As a result, approximately 1,690 teachers are being deprived of their legitimate rights.
The speakers further noted that approval for the primary level of Alia Madrasah education was granted under Section 17(2) of the 1978 Ordinance, and in 1984, the Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board officially recognized Independent Ebtedayi Madrasas. Subsequently, teachers of these institutions began receiving allowances in 1994, while free textbooks and stipends for students were introduced in 2001. However, despite more than four decades having passed, no Independent Ebtedayi Madrasa has yet been included in the MPO system or nationalized.
The speakers alleged that although the government nationalized thousands of registered primary schools in 2013, recognized Independent Ebtedayi Madrasas were excluded from that process. Consequently, teachers and staff are struggling to survive, while students are being deprived of the full benefits of both modern and religious education.
They demanded that, in accordance with previous commitments by the Ministry of Education, Independent Ebtedayi Madrasas should either be nationalized in the same manner as primary schools or immediately brought under the MPO system. They also called for the immediate release of salary arrears and grants covering the period from January to May 2026 for teachers appointed to ministry-approved vacant posts.
The speakers also mentioned that on May 28, following Eid-ul-Azha prayers, they visited the graves of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and then began a march intending to meet the Prime Minister. However, police stopped them at Bijoy Sarani. Respecting the law, they suspended the march. Later, a six-member delegation proceeded toward the Prime Minister’s residence area, where they were detained by Gulshan Police Station and released around 4:30 PM. According to the speakers, the administration assured them that arrangements would be made for a meeting with the Prime Minister after the Eid holidays.
Meanwhile, the protesters announced that if no effective steps are taken to meet their demands by 10:00 AM on Sunday, June 7, 2026, they will begin an indefinite hunger strike in front of the National Press Club from 10:00 AM onward.
The leaders appealed for the immediate intervention of the Honorable Prime Minister and the Minister of Education and urged the authorities to implement their legitimate demands without delay.
For detailed information, please contact journalist Md. Mafidul Islam Sarkar via WhatsApp at +8801735632338.