The government is preparing to launch the Ninth National Pay Scale from July through the FY2026-27 budget, with nearly half a million teachers and employees of MPO-listed educational institutions expected to be brought under the proposed salary framework in what could become one of the most significant reforms of the country's public-sector pay structure.
* Around 5 lakh MPO teachers likely to be included
* Minimum basic salary proposed to rise from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000
* Salary hikes ranging from 100pc to 140pc recommended by Pay Commission
* Additional Tk 35,000-40,000 crore may be allocated in the first phase
* Full implementation estimated to cost Tk 1.6 lakh crore
Officials familiar with the discussions said around 478,898 teachers and employees working in 26,093 MPO-listed schools, colleges, madrasas and technical institutions may benefit from the new structure if the proposal receives final approval. The figures are based on the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS).
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has already indicated that the government is taking steps to increase the salaries of public-sector employees from the new fiscal year budget.
According to recommendations of the National Pay Commission 2025, salaries of government officials and employees could increase by between 100 per cent and 140 per cent. The commission has proposed raising the minimum basic salary from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the highest basic salary from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000 while retaining the existing 20-grade structure.
The proposal also seeks to reduce the gap between the highest and lowest salaries. The ratio between the minimum and maximum salary would be brought down to 1:8 from the current 1:9.4.
However, implementing the entire package at once would require an estimated Tk 1.6 lakh crore in additional expenditure. To avoid placing excessive pressure on the economy and widening the budget deficit, the Finance Ministry is considering a three-phase implementation plan.
Under the proposed framework, 50 per cent of the revised basic pay would be implemented in FY2026-27. The remaining 50 per cent would be added in the following fiscal year, while the third year would see adjustments to allowances and the final restructuring of the salary framework, including house rent and medical allowances.
To support the first phase, the Finance Division is expected to recommend an additional allocation of Tk 35,000-40,000 crore for salaries, allowances and pensions in the upcoming budget.
Two options are currently being discussed by policymakers. One proposes a 50 per cent increase in basic salaries across most grades, while another would allow employees in Grades 11 to 20 to receive salary increases of up to 100 per cent.
If the 50 per cent proposal is adopted, principals of MPO institutions in Grade 4 would see their basic salary rise from Tk 50,000 to Tk 75,000. Assistant professors in Grade 6 would receive Tk 53,250 instead of Tk 35,500, while vice-principals and head teachers in Grade 7 would see their salary increase from Tk 29,000 to Tk 43,500.
College lecturers in Grade 9 could receive Tk 33,000 instead of Tk 22,000, while B.Ed-qualified assistant teachers in Grade 10 would see their salary rise from Tk 16,000 to Tk 24,000.
For employees in Grades 11 to 20, separate proposals are under consideration. A Grade 11 assistant teacher without a B.Ed degree could see his or her salary increase from Tk 12,500 to Tk 18,750 under the 50 per cent option or to Tk 25,000 if the 100 per cent proposal is approved.
Similarly, Grade 20 employees, including office support staff, night guards, security personnel, cleaners and ayas, could see their basic salary rise from Tk 8,250 to Tk 12,375 under the first option or to Tk 16,500 if salaries are doubled.
In addition to salary increases, MPO-listed teachers and employees are expected to receive enhanced house rent allowances. On October 21 last year, the Ministry of Finance approved a two-phase increase in house rent benefits for MPO beneficiaries, raising the allowance by a total of 15 per cent.
Officials said the final structure of the Ninth Pay Scale is now being reviewed, with implementation expected to begin gradually from July if the proposal secures approval through the national budget.
