Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, Adviser to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, has stated that the demand for 10th grade pay scale for government primary school assistant teachers is currently unrealistic.
He made the remarks while addressing a view-exchange meeting with divisional officers of Sylhet at the Sylhet Divisional Commissioner’s Office on Sunday.
The meeting, chaired by Additional Divisional Commissioner Devjit Singh, was attended by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Md Shakhawat Hossain, Additional Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Abu Nur Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, and Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Rezaul Karim, among others.
Currently, assistant teachers hold positions in the 13th grade and have been advocating for an upgrade to the 10th grade.
However, Dr Podder explained that while the demand is rational, it is not feasible at this time as headmasters themselves are only in the 11th grade.
"Tenth grade is not realistic for assistant teachers for now as headmasters are yet to receive it. However, when assistant teachers are promoted to headmasters, their grade will naturally change," he said.
The adviser also highlighted progress in creating opportunities for assistant teachers.
The Ministry of Public Administration has approved the creation of 9,572 posts for assistant headmasters, ensuring 100% promotion opportunities for assistant teachers.
Regarding the timely distribution of textbooks, the adviser informed that work orders for printing primary school books have been issued.
"We hope to deliver primary textbooks to students by January next year," he assured.
The meeting underscored the government’s ongoing efforts to address challenges in primary education, including career progression for teachers and ensuring resources for students.
AAH/MSU/NMA