77 pry schools at Gouripur have no head-teachers

MYMENSINGH, Oct 9: As many as 77 government primary schools in Gouripur Upazila have been without head-teachers for a long time, disrupting teaching and administrative activities.

Senior assistant teachers have been serving as acting head-teachers at the schools. Besides, 47 posts of assistant teachers are also vacant, creating a shortage of teachers.

According to the Upazila Primary Education Office, Gouripur has 177 government primary schools across one municipality and 10 unions. Of these, 77 have no head-teacher, while 47 assistant teacher posts have also remained vacant for a long time.

Several guardians expressed frustration over the prolonged vacancies, saying the absence of head-teachers was affecting teaching at the schools.

Teachers said acting head-teachers had to conduct classes while also handling administrative responsibilities. They also have to visit the Upazila Education Office and other places for official work, affecting regular classroom activities and increasing their workload.

Md Shafiul Alam, Acting Head-teacher of Sutirpar Government Primary School in Bhangnamari Union, said six teacher posts were sanctioned at the school, but five teachers were currently working.

“The head-teacher's post is vacant, so I have to take on additional responsibilities. I have to go outside for official work while also teaching classes. It becomes difficult to run the school normally,” he said.

Rajib Ahmed, Acting Head-teacher of Gajandar Government Primary School in Gouripur Union, said an acting head-teacher was essentially an assistant teacher who had to perform both teaching and administrative duties.

“An acting head-teacher has to teach classes as an assistant teacher and also perform the duties of a head-teacher. It also feels uncomfortable to give administrative instructions to colleagues who hold the same rank,” he said.

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

“Promotion to the posts of head-teachers could not be made because teachers filed a case demanding nationalisation. The process of promotion 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 of Primary Education has collected a list of vacant posts. The government has already recruited teachers, and these posts will be filled soon.”