DU teachers suspend classes, examinations demanding 'Prottoy scheme' withdrawal

The Dhaka University Teachers Association has announced the suspension of classes and examinations of all departments of the university for an indefinite period demanding the withdrawal of the new universal pension scheme 'Prottoy'.

The strike will be observed until the demands for the withdrawal of the inclusion of university teachers from discriminatory certification schemes, introduction of individual pay scales for teachers, and inclusion of university teachers in the promised supergrade are fulfilled, according to a press statement issued by the association on Sunday (30 June).

"As part of our all-out protest programmes, the teachers of Dhaka University will not be attending classes. If the teachers are not going to the classes, how will the classes take place," Dr Md Nizamul Hoque, president of the DU Teachers Association, told The Business Standard.

Teachers across the country have been calling for the withdrawal of the Prottoy scheme for newly recruited university employees terming it 'discriminatory' in recent days. 

They said it would create discrimination among the university teachers.  In addition, the association also sought an immediate introduction of a "super grade" for the university teachers.

"The Prottoy scheme will create discrimination among the old and new employees. If it exists, it will negatively impact the co-workers," Zeenat Huda, general secretary of the Dhaka University Teachers' Association, said at the time. 

"The current teachers are satisfied with the existing pension scheme. It is not clear why this new scheme has been introduced," Zeenat added.

On 20 March, the Ministry of Finance introduced "Prottoy" under its Universal Pension Scheme (UPS) for autonomous, state-owned, statutory, and their subordinate bodies. Employees of these institutions, who will join on 1 July 2024 or onwards, have to enrol in the new scheme.