77 pry schools at Gouripur run without head-teachers

GOURIPUR, MYMENSINGH, Oct 3: As many as 77 government primary schools in Gouripur Upazila have been functioning without head-teachers for a long time, affecting teaching and administrative activities.

Senior assistant teachers have been assigned as acting head-teachers at the schools. Besides, 47 posts of assistant teachers have also remained vacant, creating a shortage of teachers and further disrupting regular classes.

According to the Upazila Primary Education office, Gouripur has 177 government primary schools across one municipality and 10 unions. Of these, head-teacher posts are vacant at 77 schools, while 47 assistant teacher posts have also remained vacant for a long time.

Many guardians expressed frustration over the prolonged absence of head-teachers, saying it was affecting classroom teaching.

Teachers said acting head-teachers have to teach classes while also handling administrative responsibilities. They also have to visit the upazila education office and other places for official work. As a result, regular teaching is disrupted and their administrative workload increases.

Md Shafiul Alam, Acting Head-teacher of Sutirpar Government Primary School in Bhangnamari Union, said six teacher posts were sanctioned at his school, but five teachers are currently working there. The head-teacher post is vacant.

“Since there is no head-teacher, I have to take on additional responsibilities. I have to go outside for official work and also teach classes. It becomes difficult to run the school’s normal activities,” he said.

Rajib Ahmed, Acting Head-teacher of Gajandar Government Primary School in Gouripur Union, said an acting head-teacher is essentially an assistant teacher who has to perform the duties of both positions.

“We have to teach in the classroom as assistant teachers while also performing the duties of a head-teacher. It also feels awkward to give administrative instructions to colleagues who hold the same rank as us,” he said.

Saida Rubayat, Gouripur Upazila Primary Education Officer, said the head-teacher posts at 77 schools had remained vacant for a long time.

“Promotion to head-teacher posts could not be made because teachers filed a case demanding nationalisation. The promotion process has now started, but we have not yet received any clear instructions,” she said.

Regarding the 47 vacant assistant teacher posts, she said, “The Directorate has collected the list of vacant posts. The government has initiated recruitment, and these posts will be filled soon.”