Police dispersed protesting teachers at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection using baton charges and sound grenades on Monday. The demonstrators, consisting of registered and recommended primary school teachers awaiting recruitment under the Non-Government Teachers' Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), had blocked the intersection around 1:20 PM. By 1:45 PM, police took action, forcing them to disperse.

Due to the blockade, vehicular movement came to a halt, prompting law enforcement to intervene. The police charged at the protesters with batons and used sound grenades to break up the crowd. After the demonstrators were dispersed, limited vehicular movement resumed around 1:45 PM.

Earlier, on February 7, a similar protest took place in front of the National Press Club, where terminated primary school teachers gathered for a demonstration. They later marched toward the Chief Adviser’s residence, chanting slogans. A confrontation ensued with police, leading to baton charges and the use of water cannons to scatter the demonstrators.

The protests follow a recent High Court verdict issued last Thursday, which nullified the recruitment of 6,531 candidates who had qualified as assistant teachers in government primary schools across Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

Previously, on November 19, the High Court had temporarily suspended the recruitment of these candidates, citing issues related to quota-based appointments. The final results for this phase were published on October 31, listing 6,531 successful candidates. The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) released the results on its official website.

On May 28, the High Court had initially suspended the recruitment process for six months, affecting Dhaka and Chattogram districts, excluding three hill districts. Although the Supreme Court later overturned this stay order, allowing oral examinations to proceed, concerns remained regarding allegations of question leaks in the written exams. The court had ordered an investigation into these claims.

The ongoing dispute has led to significant frustration among affected teachers, who continue to demand reinstatement of their recruitment. The situation remains tense as authorities and demonstrators navigate the legal and administrative implications of the court rulings.