Pvt teachers demand nationalisation of jobs

A teachers' alliance on Monday demanded the immediate inclusion of non-MPO educational institutions under the government's Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme and the nationalisation of jobs for teachers and employees serving in private educational institutions. The organisation also condemned what it described as a coordinated campaign against Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon.

The demands were made at a press conference held at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka. Reading out a written statement, the alliance's Member Secretary, Principal Md. Selim Mia said the country's education sector had faced long-standing challenges since independence and stressed the need for comprehensive reforms to improve the welfare of teachers and ensure quality education.

The press conference was attended by the alliance's Convener and Co-Chairman Maulana Md. Delwar Hossain, Presidium Members Prof. Kazi Mainuddin, Prof. Mosharraf Hossain Liton and Prof. Abdul Awal, Principal Md. Rakib Uddin Khan, Joint Secretary General Rokeya Chowdhury Baby, Prof. Md. Abdul Hakim and other central leaders of the organisation.

Selim Mia said former President Ziaur Rahman had brought teachers under the national pay scale in 1980, while subsequent BNP governments introduced several initiatives to strengthen education and modernise the madrasa system. He also recalled that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia had announced plans to nationalise the jobs of teachers and employees of private schools, colleges, madrasas and technical institutions, although the initiative was never implemented.

The alliance urged the government to bring non-MPO institutions under the MPO scheme without delay and to nationalise the employment of teachers and staff working in MPO-listed institutions, arguing that the measures were necessary to ensure equity and improve the education system.

The organisation also praised the education reform initiatives undertaken by Education Adviser Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon. It alleged that a vested group was attempting to create unrest by encouraging protests and spreading misinformation against the adviser.

The alliance further called for students to return to classrooms, the restoration of regular academic activities and collective efforts to establish a humane, merit-based and modern education system.