Private teachers in Bangladesh are neglected, they get something by protesting

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barkatuhu.

Dear friends,

I hope you are all well with the infinite mercy of Allah Almighty. I am also well and healthy to accept your prayers and the infinite mercy of Allah Almighty.

The education system of Bangladesh has improved a lot compared to other countries in the world today. From primary to higher education, the light of education has reached even the remotest parts of the country. The teaching community has played the biggest role behind this progress. Even though private teachers in particular have made an outstanding contribution to this process of nation building, they are still neglected and deprived in many ways. When the policymakers of the state provide various facilities to government teachers, the same dignity and rights of private teachers are often not available without protest. Therefore, today's topic of discussion is - "Private teachers in Bangladesh are neglected, they get something by protesting."

1. Status and Reality of Private Teachers

Most of the secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions in Bangladesh are private or non-government. These institutions are working like the backbone of the country's education system. But in reality, the teachers of these institutions are not evaluated by the state as they were supposed to be. Their salary structure, job security, promotion and other benefits lag far behind that of government teachers.

Most private teachers receive partial government assistance through the "MPO" (Monthly Pay Order) system. But this MPO benefit is also limited in many cases. Newly recruited teachers wait for years to be enrolled in MPO. During this time, their salary is almost negligible, making it difficult to run a family. As a result, teachers become more worried about their livelihood than education.

2. Neglect and Discrimination

The condition of private teachers is relatively painful. For example, it can be said—

Government teachers receive regular salaries, annual increments, medical allowances, festival allowances, retirement benefits and pensions.

On the other hand, private teachers are almost deprived of these benefits. Their salaries are often in arrears for months.

Although MPO-affiliated teachers receive some financial assistance, it is not enough to meet their minimum needs.

Many teachers do not receive retirement benefits or gratuity.

Even in the question of the status of teachers, it can be seen that government teachers receive more respect in society, while private teachers are not valued even after working the same amount of hard work. This inequality weakens their morale.

3. History of the movement and its necessity

In the history of Bangladesh, whenever private teachers have demanded their rights, they have walked the path of movement. In front of the Press Club, the National Press Club, Shahbagh or the ministry in Dhaka, they have held human chains, sit-ins and hunger strikes for years.

For example—

After a long movement in 2018 demanding MPO affiliation, the government included some new institutions in the MPO.

Some decisions were also made after the movement demanding salary increases and festival allowances.

But these are the fruits of the movement—not through the normal administrative process.

In other words, the demands of private teachers are not taken for granted in state policy, but they have to achieve their rights through movement. This reality makes them mentally exhausted, because those who build the nation have to take to the streets to achieve their rights.

4. Limitations of state policy

In Bangladesh, the Ministry of Education and the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education formulate policies regarding private teachers, but the implementation process is very slow. Many times, their demands are ignored under the pretext of political considerations or budget deficit.

In addition, there are questions about transparency in the case of MPO enrollment. Some institutions get MPO benefits quickly, while many institutions that have achieved good results wait for years. This disparity creates frustration among private teachers.

5. Salary disparity and hardship

Where a lecturer in a government college receives a salary of more than 50,000 taka per month, a teacher in a private college often works for 8,000 to 12,000 taka. In many cases, school teachers work for even 5,000 taka, because for them, teaching is not just a profession, but an addiction and a responsibility.

But the question is - can a family survive with addiction and responsibility? Children's education, house rent, market, medical treatment - everything requires money. And with this limited income, many teachers face extreme financial crisis. Some try to earn extra income by tutoring or coaching. However, if they were paid a fair salary by the state, they could have given their full attention to teaching.

6. Social status and mental state

The teaching community was once considered the most respected professionals. But in today's reality, private teachers are being deprived of that social status. Their financial uncertainty, job insecurity, and administrative negligence hurt their self-esteem.

When a teacher sees his student doing a high-paying job, while he himself struggles to make ends meet at the end of the month, then he naturally feels pain. This neglect also affects the quality of education in the long run.

7. Results and limitations of the movement

Some positive changes have been brought about through the movement over the years—

The number of institutions under MPO has increased.

Some parts of festival allowance and retirement benefits have been implemented.

Some reforms have been made in the promotion and training system of teachers.

However, this change has not come without the movement. This proves that a permanent and structural solution for private teachers is still missing.Reasonable salary structure: It is important to determine a reasonable salary scale in coordination with government teachers.

2. Regular MPO inclusion: Measures should be taken so that new institutions and teachers do not have to wait for years.

3. Retirement and medical benefits: Pension and medical allowance should be introduced for all teachers.

4. Protecting the dignity of teachers: A system of honors and incentives should be introduced to improve the social and mental condition of teachers.

5. Policies free from corruption and political influence: All teachers should be brought under the same policy in a transparent and fair manner.

Private teachers in Bangladesh are the future builders of the country. The talent and morality of the next generation are developed in their hands. Yet they are the most neglected. The state does not value their labor, society does not understand their suffering. Whatever they get, they have to get it through movement - which is very sad and dishonorable.

A nation can truly develop only when that nation gives its teachers due dignity and security. Therefore, it is time to eliminate the neglect and discrimination against private teachers and ensure their due respect and opportunities. Because teachers are the soul of the nation, and if the soul is neglected, the future of the nation can never be bright.

8. Possible solutions

1. No