The government is likely to enlist around 5,000 assistant librarians under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme, despite them holding certificates from controversial institutes.
Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) DG Fahima Khatun told the Dhaka Tribune on Thursday that recommendations had been sent to the education ministry to give conditional MPOs to the assistant librarians.
She said the recommendations suggest the assistant librarians with certificates from controversial universities will be required to retake their courses at any recognised university in order to become eligible for the full salary.
Under the MPO scheme, the government provides financial support to teachers and employees of non-government schools and colleges.
Most of the 5,000 assistant librarians have a Diploma in Library certificate from unknown or low-standard institutions, including the controversial Darul Ihsan University, which is allegedly involved in selling certificates and providing low quality education.
Fahima Khatun admitted that the move would hamper the quality of non-government institutes, but said previous officials had set the example of granting MPOs to people with certificates from controversial institutes.
Ministry sources said the government may announce the decision to enlist these librarians under the MPO scheme this week. Officials within the DSHE said such a move would hamper the quality of secondary education.
“Most importantly, if we set an example of giving MPOs to people who have certificates from controversial universities, others will also demand the same by managing fake certificates,” said a deputy director at DSHE, seeking anonymity.
He said other teachers who had not received MPOs would stage more agitations if the librarians get MPOs.
A group of librarians who have been demonstrating since Sunday, began a hunger strike on Thursday in front of the National Press Club. AFM Kamrul Hasan, secretary of the Bangladesh Assistant Librarian Association, said the strike would continue until their demands are met.
