Protest by ICT Teachers at Bikash Bhavan Demanding Direct Recruitment and Ending Agency System, Blocked by Police Barricades

**Salt Lake:** ICT instructors launched a protest at Bikash Bhavan demanding the end of the agency system and direct recruitment as government contract employees. On Monday, the first day of the week, thousands of contract computer teachers took to the streets of Salt Lake to demonstrate. They raised concerns about job security and government recognition, citing complaints of being under private agencies despite working in schools for a long time.

The protesters claimed that many ICT teachers at the sixth and seventh levels have been working in various schools for nearly five years. They were hired through agencies like Webel Schoolnet and Extra Mark. Currently, their contracts are nearing expiration. They expressed concerns about job uncertainty due to the possibility of a new tender process starting.

Protesters further alleged that several teachers have already been informed about the non-renewal of their contracts. This has heightened anxiety about job security before the upcoming festival. They are questioning why, after working in schools for so long, they are not being directly recruited as government contract employees.

A large portion of the ICT teachers marched towards Bikash Bhavan. However, before reaching the main gate of Bikash Bhavan, police blocked them with barricades. This led to a heated exchange between the police and the protesters, causing tension in the area.

Later, the protesters began a sit-in outside Bikash Bhavan. They demanded a meeting with the Education Minister and a swift resolution to their job-related issues. Despite a prolonged sit-in, the protesters claimed that there was no communication from Bikash Bhavan.

To control the situation, police have been deployed around the Bikash Bhavan premises. The area has been cordoned off with barricades. Tensions between police and protesters are escalating intermittently. The Bikash Bhavan area has become lively with protests and slogans.

Now it remains to be seen what steps the state government will take regarding the job and recruitment demands of the sixth and seventh-level ICT teachers and whether there will be any discussions between the administration and the protesters.