Online Desk: Defying the order of the government agitating teachers said they will continue their protest demanding nationalisation of secondary educational institutions. The agitating teachers said they are not satisfied with the statement of Education Minister Dipu Moni and will not return to class.

“We want to meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for five minutes. Teachers will not leave the street until they meet with PM,” Bangladesh Teachers Association’s general secretary principal Sheik Kawser Ahmed said at National Press Club in Dhaka on Wednesday following a meeting of the organization.

Earlier at 3.30pm, agitating teachers held a meeting with the Education Minister at International Mother Language Institute at Segunbagicha. After the meeting, Dipu Moni said it is not possible to nationalise private educational institutions before the upcoming parliamentary elections. At the same time, she requested the agitating teachers to go back to their classes suspending their programme.

The Education Minister said: “It’s not possible to nationalise private educational institutions before the upcoming parliamentary elections. They (non-government teachers) make such demands as soon as the election season comes. Considering the global financial situation, it is not possible for the government to shoulder such a huge financial responsibility now.”

“But we will form two committees on nationalisation of private educational institutions in the country. The two committees formed will examine the nationalisation feasibility of private schools in the country. One of the committees will examine financial feasibility and the other will examine institutional capacity,” she added.