Their other demands include lifting the ban on politics, holding general elections at the earliest possible time -- before the timeline declared by the Election Commission and freeing educational institutes including RU from corruption.

The teachers in a joint press handout yesterday afternoon announced the decision.

At least 181 teachers belonging to Progressive Teachers' Association (PTA) yesterday submitted their leave petitions and the others are to follow today.

In the handout, the teachers expressed their concern about the way the present government is conducting its affairs as it is veering off from its primary responsibility of holding a free and fair election.

They also said that the government failed to curb crime as well as the prices of essentials and the people have started to lose faith in the government already.

The teachers believe that the image of the government was tarnished as it mistreated Sheikh Hasina during her arrest when it could have prosecuted her without sending her to jail.

A senior teacher said they felt moral obligations to protest and they came up with this unique technique to place their demands because strikes are not allowed under the emergency rules.