Teachers from MPO-listed (Monthly Pay Order) private educational institutions have been observing a hunger strike demanding three key benefits: a 20% house rent allowance added to their basic salary, a monthly medical allowance of Tk 1,500, and a 75% festival bonus for non-teaching staff. So far, four teachers participating in the hunger strike have fallen seriously ill. The information was confirmed on Monday (October 20) afternoon by Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, President of the "MPO-listed Education Nationalization Alliance" and Member Secretary of the Bangladesh Madrasa Teachers and Employees Forum.

The teachers have been staging a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka for several days as part of their ongoing movement. On Sunday, they organized a symbolic “hunger march” towards the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education carrying empty plates and bowls.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to provide house rent allowances to MPO-listed teachers and employees at the rate of 5% of their basic salary, with a minimum of Tk 2,000. The Ministry of Finance approved the decision and issued a letter to the Secretaries of both the Secondary and Higher Education Division and the Technical and Madrasa Education Division on Sunday.

In a show of solidarity, BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie visited the protesting teachers at the Shaheed Minar on Monday. Additionally, President of the Gono Odhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur and General Secretary Rashed Khan are expected to join the protest in the evening to express their support.