Demands and escalation plan
Teachers under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme have announced a ‘March to the Secretariat’ to press a set of demands including city house-rent parity, medical allowance revision, and time-scale benefits. Leaders said repeated petitions yielded little movement, prompting a phased program that began with sit-ins and human chains. They argue rising living costs have outpaced current allowances, pushing many to take side jobs or private tuitions to stay afloat. Organisers added that the march will be peaceful, with marshals deployed to keep traffic flowing at key intersections.

Government response and likely impacts
Education ministry officials said a working committee is reviewing allowance structures alongside broader payroll rationalisation. They caution that any adjustment must align with budget ceilings and parity across cadres. Public policy analysts suggest a staggered hike tied to inflation benchmarks to minimise shock to the exchequer. Commuters in Dhaka are bracing for congestion near the Secretariat and Press Club areas; police have advised avoiding peak-hour travel on rally day. School administrators worry prolonged agitation could disrupt midterm routines, while parents urge rapid dialogue to avert class losses. Union leaders say they are open to talks if a clear timeline and written commitments are offered.