The Crime Desk: There was a time when one could become a primary school teacher by passing SSC. But times have changed. Now the qualifications to become a university teacher and the qualifications to become a primary school teacher are the same. As a result, higher-degree holders are now coming to teach in primary schools. In light of the current rules for the appointment of teachers, it is said that both men and women should have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent educational qualification to become teachers. Analyzing the educational qualifications of primary school teachers, it has been found that almost half of the teachers have master’s degrees. Besides, talented people with various higher educational qualifications are coming to this profession.
According to the Teacher Recruitment Rules of 1991, male primary teachers had to have an HSC or equivalent degree. And anyone had to have a second division. However, the educational qualification of female candidates was an SSC pass. In 2013, the rules were changed. While the rules of that year mentioned graduation or an equivalent degree for male candidates, it was different for female candidates. In the case of female candidates, a higher secondary pass is said. However, as per the latest policy of 2019, both men and women are required to have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree with a second-class or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university.
As a result, in light of the last few recruitment circulars, all those who have been appointed as primary assistant teachers have the minimum qualification of graduation. The data analysis showed that 3 lakh 88 thousand teachers are working in 65 thousand 544 government primary schools in the country. Out of which, there are 2 lakh, 53 thousand, and 623 women teachers. And male teachers are 1 lakh, 35 thousand, and 215 people. Analyzing the data, it has been found that 1 lakh 55 thousand 742 people have a master’s degree among the working teachers. And graduates (pass): 1 lakh, 6 thousand, 398 people. Besides, there are 5 thousand 550 MBA degree holders, 1 thousand 481 BSc engineers, and 5 thousand 749 Kamil people. 2 thousand 31 people with a Fazil degree, 379 people with a BSc in Agriculture, 9 thousand 223 people with a BSS degree, and 22 thousand 295 people with a Bachelor (Honours) degree. Apart from this, there are also LLB and LL degree holders as primary school teachers.
However, there are also SSC and HSC pass teachers who have been appointed under the previous rules. But this number is smaller. There are 55 thousand 744 teachers who passed HSC, 12 thousand 666 who passed SSC, and 1 thousand 417 teachers who passed Alim. Those concerned say that most of the primary teachers have higher degrees. But many of those who have SSC and HSC degrees are at the end of their jobs. They will retire between 4 and 14 years old. As a result, no one will be a primary teacher without graduates and masters. More than 20,000 primary school teachers will retire in the next four years. And in the next 14 years, another 90,000 teachers, who are now over 46 years old, will retire. However, some teachers try other jobs after joining primary. Due to this job, there is no promotion or financial benefit accordingly. According to primary education expert Masum Billah, higher degree holders enter this profession.
But they remain in despair, as there is no opportunity for promotion. After joining the education cadre, he can be promoted up to Director General. But 80% of primary assistant teachers retire from the same post. If assistant teachers had the opportunity to be promoted up to Deputy Director, Director, or Director General, talented people could be retained in this profession. In terms of salaries or benefits that students with similar qualifications receive in primary jobs, the gap is wide for other teachers. University teachers are promoted to professor in 11 years after joining the ninth grade. College teachers are promoted up to professor subject to vacancy after joining the ninth grade.
Secondary teachers are promoted to Deputy Principals after joining the 10th grade. But most of the primary teachers with the same qualifications are retiring as ‘Assistant Teachers’. Those who join as assistant teachers in government primary schools initially get their salary in the 13th grade. The basic salary is 11 thousand taka. It includes house rent, medical allowance, tiffin allowance, and travel allowance. Apart from the basic salary, a new assistant teacher will get a medical allowance of Tk 1500, a tiffin allowance of Tk 200, and a travel allowance of Tk 300. There is also rent. Rent is 60 to 45 percent of the basic salary.
