Undelivered Appointment Letters Prompt Hunger Strike by Assistant Teacher Candidates in Jamalpur
Fifty-one candidates selected for assistant teacher posts in Jamalpur have launched a hunger strike outside the district primary education office demanding immediate appointment letters
Fifty-one assistant teacher candidates in Jamalpur have launched an indefinite hunger strike in front of the district primary education office, demanding their appointment letters despite being recommended for the posts. The demonstration began on Tuesday morning, with the protesters vowing to continue their fast until official recruitment documents are issued.
By Tuesday morning, dozens of candidates had gathered along the verandas of the education office, holding recruitment-related documents and placards. Some protesters wore shrouds while others had national flags tied around their heads, reflecting mounting desperation over their stalled employment status.
According to district primary education office records and candidate accounts, 136 individuals were ultimately recommended for assistant teacher positions in Jamalpur district. While an initial batch of 84 candidates received their appointment letters in the first phase, a single additional candidate was issued a letter in a second phase on Monday, leaving 51 candidates empty-handed and plunging their professional futures into deep uncertainty.
The protesting candidates expressed severe mental and financial distress, noting that they successfully navigated all selection procedures and earned official recommendation, yet remain barred from joining their assigned posts. Protester Tanvir Rahman voiced the collective anguish of the group, stating that they reached this stage through their own merit and demanded immediate appointment letters before the day concludes. Another candidate, Mir Afifa Sultana, affirmed that the hunger strike will persist indefinitely inside the office premises until formal appointment letters are handed over.
Addressing the escalating protest, Jamalpur District Primary Education Officer Mohammad Ali Ahsan stated that he is actively working with the Directorate of Primary Education regarding the documents of the 51 candidates. He expressed optimism that a positive outcome would be reached by September 30, adding that continuous communication is being maintained with the higher directorate to resolve the issue.
