Primary teachers demand separate cadre service

The Primary Teachers' Association has recommended establishing a separate cadre service for primary education along with seven other suggestions to implement world-class primary education in Bangladesh.

The recommendations were presented by the association's president, Aminul Islam Chowdhury, at a press conference held today (4 September) at the Sagar-Runi auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity.

"In developed countries, the duration of compulsory primary education ranges from 8 to 12 years. With the rapid advancement of knowledge and science globally, it is essential for our education system to introduce at least an 8-year-long, practical, and environment-based curriculum to ensure economic progress and social transformation in Bangladesh," said Aminul Islam Chowdhury. 

Pointing out that in many developed countries, individuals without teaching experience are not appointed as education officials, as only experienced educators can successfully handle administration, management, supervision, monitoring, and training programms.

"Only qualified teachers can deliver quality education," he added. 

Chowdhury noted that while many ministries have their own cadre services, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education lacks one. As a result, officials are often deputed from other ministries to manage the large workforce in the primary education sector. 

"This arrangement does not ensure the recruitment of skilled and experienced personnel who are well aware of the field-level challenges," he stated.

Among the other recommendations, the association called for halting recruitment to all positions above assistant teachers, except for promotions within the department, allowing for merit-based promotions of assistant teachers to higher positions, including that of Director General. 

Additionally, they proposed that the seniority, promotions, and time scales of nationalised teachers should be determined according to their service duration, with 50% of their previous private service period considered. 

The gazette listing of head teachers who were omitted should also be addressed.

The association further suggested introducing different qualification-based pay scales for current teachers, implementing a unified education system up to grade 8 nationwide, equipping every school with multimedia classrooms, computers, laptops, and teaching materials, appointing an office assistant in every school for smooth operations, and including teacher representatives in all education-related committees to ensure effective decision-making, in line with ILO and UNESCO standards.