The government is considering upgrading the status of head teachers of primary schools from class III to class II government officers.
The plan was put into motion following an ultimatum issued by a platform of primary teachers, called the Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association, to enforce the non-stop strike in all government primary schools from September 15 if their demand of upgrading job statuses is not met.
The organisation had scheduled a rally on August 28 but was denied the permission by law enforcement agencies. Later in the evening they issued the ultimatum to enforce a strike from September 15 if their demands were not met.
Ministry officials said as teachers have a role in conducting the election, the government wanted to keep them in its confidence by upgrading their status. The decision might be announced in the middle of next month.
Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education, Shyamal Kanti Ghosh earlier told the Dhaka Tribune that the primary and mass education ministry has sent a proposal to ministry of public administration to upgrade the job statuses of the headmasters of primary schools.
Teachers have long been on the movement to have their status upgraded from class III to class II government employees. The reasons they cite for this demand include the improvement of their social status.
Experts working on the field of education also advocate for upgrading primary teachers’ status as the talented do not want to come to the teaching profession due to its low social status.