Meanwhile, Finance Minister Saifur Rahman told the reporters that a decision will be taken regarding the issue after examining the teachers' demands when finance secretary, who is now abroad, returns to the country.

The demonstrators yesterday held a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar and marched towards the Shikkha Bhaban to press home their demand. In Lalmonirhat, the agitating teachers and employees of non-government educational institutions burnt effigies of Finance Minister Saifur Rahman and State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon.

The pro-government teachers and employees' platform Shikkhak Karmachari Oikya Jote declared to form a human chain in front of the Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in the capital at 12noon today while the Awami League (AL)-backed Jatiya Shikkhak Karmachri Front will hold rallies at upazila and district levels across the country today.

In addition to full payment of salary from government, the striking teachers and employees also want an increase in house rent, medical allowance in full and implementation of the recommended privileges as by UNESCO and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The government yesterday urged the striking teachers and employees of non-government schools, colleges and madrasas to go back to their institutions and resolve problems through negotiation.

A press note said the education ministry took note of different programmes, including strike by several organisations of teachers and employees of non-government schools, colleges and madrasas, taken up to press their different demands, including 10% raise in their salaries.