Primary edn in ‘leave’ problem

Govt to create pool of 20,000 primary teachers for filling in leave vacancies
The government plans to create a pool of 20,000 primary school teachers to tackle teacher shortages due to leaves of absence.
A vast number of teaching posts fall vacant for a temporary but significant amount of time due to maternity leave, professional training and medical leave.
Secretary in Charge of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, Abu Alam Mohammad Shahid Khan, said, “In each primary school there is an average of three to four teachers.
“If a teacher attends training, falls sick or goes on leave for some other reason, the teacher’s classes may be cancelled for months and this is hugely disruptive to the children’s education.”
Officials from the ministry said that every year, an average of 18,950 teachers from government, registered and community primary schools take part in the year-long C-in-Ed training.
Over 5,500 female teachers take maternity leave each year and around 5,500 teachers take leave for medical reasons, or to attend religious festivals such as the hajj.
Between 5,000 and 6,000 teaching assistant posts and headmasters of government primary schools also fall vacant and it can take several months to fill the posts on a temporary basis.
Around 40 teachers in each of the 481 upazilas will be appointed on the basis of “No work no pay”.
Officials from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education said teachers will receive a monthly salary of Tk 1,500.
Ministry officials said that a policy regarding the pool will be sent to the establishment ministry shortly.
The appointment process will begin after receiving approval from the relevant ministries.
Shahid Khan said that unemployed but competent youths who have completed HSC and SSC exams will be given priority to fill the posts in government, registered and community schools.
He added the teachers will be assigned to schools in their respective upazilas to minimise their transport costs.
Upazila education officers will supervise the entire process.

Courtesy of The Daily Star