Dhaka: Ebtedayee madrassa teachers on Tuesday went on an indefinite hunger strike demanding nationalisation of all the registered Ebtedayee madrassas under Bangladesh Madrassa Education Board.

Concluding their nine-day sit-in programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, under the banner of ‘Bangladesh Independent Ebtedayee Madrassa Teachers’ Association’, the teachers started the hunger strike from 12:00noon as their demand went unheeded.

Earlier on Monday, the Ebtedayee teachers submitted separate memoranda to the Education Ministry and Finance Ministry to realise their demands, including nationalisation of madrassas, said Kazi Mokhlesur Rahman, secretary general of the association.

Demanding an immediate solution to the problem, the general secretary said they will continue their hunger strike until the announcement is made from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid to nationalise the Ebtedayee madrassas.

He alleged that the Ebtedayee madrassa teachers are being deprived of proper pay and allowances despite working as much as government primary school teachers. 

The teachers had been on a sit-in programme as part of their ultimatum since January 1.

Meanwhile, the assistant teachers of state-run primary schools earlier on December 22 went on an indefinite hunger strike demanding upgradation of their salary scale. Four days later, on December 25, they ended the strike upon assurance from

Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman that their demand will be met.