The Ministry of Education has sent a proposal to the Finance Ministry seeking an increase in the housing allowance for staff of private educational institutions. 

The proposal recommends raising housing allowances by 5, 10, 15, and 20 per cent, depending on the government’s financial capacity, the Ministry said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, MPO-listed teachers and staff, demanding increases in housing allowance and other benefits, have blocked Shahbagh Mor, disrupting traffic in the area.

Around 2:00 pm on Wednesday, the protesting teachers took positions at Shahbagh, declaring they would not leave without an official notification rather than mere assurances.

Earlier, by 12:00 pm, they had demanded an official notification regarding their demands. When no notification was issued within the stipulated time, they announced a blockade of Shahbagh. 

On their way, the police initially stopped the teachers in front of Shahbagh Police Station, but the protesters broke through the barricades and occupied the area.

The teachers have been staging continuous demonstrations since last Sunday, demanding a 20 per cent increase in housing allowance, a medical allowance of Tk 1,500, and a festival bonus for staff raised to 75 per cent. Despite issuing new ultimatums every day, they have received no satisfactory response.

On Wednesday, teachers and staff from schools across the country joined the fourth day of the protest, with slogans filling the central Shaheed Minar premises.

Teachers accused the government of failing to keep its promises and delaying the fulfillment of their demands.

As a result of the protest, most MPO-listed schools across the country have remained closed.