Dhaka, Dec. 3 -- The education authorities have ordered government primary school teachers to return to classrooms and conduct annual examinations, warning that failure to comply could result in action under the service law, conduct rules, and criminal law.

The directive comes as assistant teachers stage a "complete shutdown" in protest over delayed implementation of their demands, including promotion to the 11th pay grade and resolution of grade-related issues after 10 and 16 years of service.

Since Monday, scheduled annual exams have been disrupted in many schools, with teacher alliances insisting their programme will continue until demands are met.

On Wednesday, the Primary Teacher Demand Implementation Council, representing four te...