Thousands of MPO teachers sit-in Shahbagh demands unfolded at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Protesters sought recruitment for 16,213 qualified candidates denied posts. Police dispersed the crowd after four hours. The action exposed deep frustrations in Bangladesh’s education hiring process.
MPO teachers sit-in Shahbagh demands reveal acute unemployment among trained professionals. Bangladesh faces a teacher shortage of over 100,000 in secondary schools, per government estimates. This strains public education, a pillar for South Asia’s youth bulge, where 65% of the population is under 35. Unresolved, it risks broader instability in workforce development across the region.
Police Disperse MPO Teachers Shahbagh Amid Standoff
Protesters gathered at 10am. They included candidates from the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority exams. The group blocked traffic on key routes. Vehicles stalled for kilometres.
Firoz Ahmed, a protester, explained the core issue. “Their movement is aimed at securing recommendations for the 16,213 candidates who did not receive them.” Ariful Islam added that a delegation visited the Secretariat. “Protesters will make decisions based on what they report back.”
Shahbagh police station Officer-in-Charge Khalid Mansur outlined the response. Police monitored the site initially. No arrests occurred early on. Tensions rose by 2pm. Officers used mild force to clear the area. Protesters relocated to the National Museum grounds. The dispersal lasted 30 minutes. Five protesters reported minor injuries from pushes. Medics treated them on site. Traffic resumed by 3pm. The incident drew crowds of onlookers.
MPO Nationalisation Sit-in Jatiya Press Club Parallels Demands
A parallel action highlighted broader MPO woes. At the Jatiya Press Club, listed MPO teachers launched their own sit-in. They demanded nationalisation of private institutions. This would secure permanent government jobs for over 300,000 educators nationwide. The Press Club protest started simultaneously. Several thousand participated. They called for a special gazette on benefits. Core asks included 20% house rent allowance on basic salary.
Teachers protest Dhaka house rent allowance formed a key chant. Current allowance stands at BDT 1,000 monthly. Finance Ministry data shows a recent hike to BDT 1,500. Protesters deemed it insufficient. Inflation hit 9.8% in July 2025, per Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Mostafa Kamal, a madrasa teacher, voiced discontent. “We work as hard as government teachers but face discrimination. The BDT 500 raise is a mockery.” Kawsar Mahmud noted salary realities. “Assistant teachers earn BDT 14,600 total. House rents exceed BDT 3,000.”
Education Adviser Shaykh Fazle Noor Taposh promised reforms on August 13. He pledged 20% house rent and BDT 1,500 medical allowance. Ministry of Finance issued a notification on August 20. It approved only the partial increase. No nationalisation timeline emerged. The Jatiya Press Club site saw no dispersal. Police cordoned the area. Traffic police diverted routes via Kakrail. Protesters vowed to stay until met.
Teachers Protest Dhaka House Rent Allowance Fuels Momentum
MPO teachers sit-in Shahbagh demands intertwined with allowance fights. NTRCA candidates seek MPO listing for stability. Listed teachers push for equity. Both groups cite unkept pledges.
Government data underscores scale. Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education reports 1.2 million students per 10,000 teachers short. Vacant posts number 50,000 in secondary alone. Special recruitment could fill gaps. Protesters at Shahbagh presented a memorandum. It urged subject-wise analysis of data. They demanded barrier removal and position additions by December 31. No policy shifts before then.
At Press Club, the Alliance for Nationalisation of MPO-Listed Education led chants. They threatened work abstention from Tuesday, August 26. Full strikes loomed if ignored. Police disperse MPO teachers Shahbagh echoed past events. In July 2025, similar rallies at Paltan drew water cannons. No injuries reported then. Current monitoring continues.
Background: MPO System Strains in Bangladesh
The Monthly Pay Order scheme dates to 1982. It funds private institutions via government salaries. Over 400,000 teachers benefit. Yet, listing delays plague applicants.
NTRCA handles certification. The 18th batch cleared 40,000 candidates. Only 24,000 received recommendations. The 16,213 gap sparked Sunday’s outcry. Finance Ministry press release on August 20 detailed allowances. It cited budget constraints. BDT 150 billion allocated for education in FY 2025-26. MPO costs consume 40%.
International partners note issues. UNESCO’s 2024 report flags Bangladesh’s 1:50 teacher-student ratio. Ideal is 1:40. Nationalisation could stabilise staffing. Protests trace to June 2025. Initial rallies at Manikganj demanded listings. Escalation followed unmet deadlines.
What’s Next for MPO Teachers Sit-in Shahbagh Demands
Delegations plan follow-ups at Secretariat on Monday, August 25. Protesters eye parliament session next week. Nationalisation talks may resume. MPO teachers sit-in Shahbagh demands signal urgency. Resolution could boost retention. Delays risk classroom voids. Authorities face pressure to act swiftly.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 12th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
