There is a school, a compound, benches, tables, chairs, a playground, a library, and students, but there are no teachers—can such a school continue? Again, there are not enough teachers, and many teaching posts are vacant. Will education continue properly under this condition? Will students attend classes? Will education be completed, or will the expected results be achieved? A car does not run without a driver, and it does not run even if the control are not in place. Education is the same. There is no education without a teacher. In one word, education is 'Gurmukhi.'
Meanwhile, in Kotalipara upazila of Gopalganj district, 122 primary teaching posts and 56 high school posts are vacant. In this situation, teachers are struggling to carry out teaching activities while also fulfilling their administrative duties. Due to the lack of designated teachers, science teachers are sometimes taking on substitute roles in Bengali and English grammar classes. Social studies teachers are teaching religion, there is no one to teach geography, and some lab assistants are turning to private tutors to understand biology and chemistry. The academic year of students ends with many such crises.
Several parents said that the current teachers are in trouble due to the vacant posts. They have to do additional duties, and the large number of classes is disrupting student learning. Due to the lacking of teachers in the respective subjects, students are facing a crisis. Some students are made to sit for exams despite not receiving proper instruction. Those who can afford it compensate by sending their children to private tutors. However, students who cannot afford private tuition face even more problems.
Several assistant teachers from the upazila, who wished to remain anonymous, said that if a school lacks a designated teacher, including the headmaster, there is no discipline. Teachers are left to their own devices. Moreover, if an assistant teacher is given the responsibility of another subject, they are already overwhelmed with their own work and cannot give the students proper attention.
When asked about this, Upazila Primary Education Officer Amjad Hossain told the correspondent of Daily Observer that out of 187 primary schools in the upazila, 3 headteachers and 119 assistant teachers' posts are vacant, totaling 122 vacancies. He said that the concerned authorities have already been informed to fill the vacancies.
Upazila Secondary Education Officer Siddique Noor Alam told the Daily Observer correspondent that there are 56 vacancies in the 45 high schools under MPO in the upazila, including 5 headmasters, 5 assistant headmasters, 7 computer lab operators, 2 clerks, and 37 fourth-class employees. The concerned authorities have already been informed to fill these vacancies. He added that the crisis will be resolved with the quick recruitment of staff.
Kotalipara Sheikh Lutfar Rahman Adarsh Government College Principal Professor Dr. Md. Enayet Bari told the Daily Observer correspondent that many well-educated people, in their life writings, highlight the contribution of teachers in shaping their lives and building a solid foundation for learning. A teacher can ignite the light of knowledge and the thirst for learning in the hearts of students. Through teachers, students also receive guidance for a bright future. Therefore, the importance of qualified and skilled teachers in schools is immense.
Kotalipara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahinur Akhter told the Daily Observer correspondent that many teachers are trying to transfer from rural schools to the city. Despite a good transportation system, they are reluctant to settle in villages. He added that he has not received any complaints regarding teaching disruptions due to the shortage of teachers. If complaints are received, deputations will be arranged from schools with a surplus of teachers to those with fewer staff.
