Md. Sulaiman, Bhola
A district conference of the Bangladesh Madrasa Teachers and Employees Forum was held in Bhola, calling for the unconditional nationalisation of all MPO-listed educational institutions, salaries and allowances in line with the ninth national pay scale, and one-time payment of retirement and welfare benefits, among six key demands.
The conference was held at the Bhola District Shilpakala Academy at 10:00 am on Saturday (October 10).
Addressing the conference as the chief guest, Principal Maulana Md. Delwar Hossain Azizi said, "All MPO-listed teachers and employees must be brought under nationalisation through a single announcement without any conditions. There should be no conditions and no discrimination; the legitimate rights of teachers must be ensured."
He said more than 600,000 MPO-listed teachers and employees were playing an important role in improving the country's education system and shaping future generations. However, they lagged behind government employees in many financial benefits. The government must take effective measures to eliminate these disparities and establish teachers' rightful entitlements, he added.
Delwar Hossain Azizi said housing, medical, festival and education allowances, along with other financial benefits, should be provided to MPO-listed teachers and employees on the same basis as government employees. Their salaries and benefits should be determined in line with the ninth national pay scale.
He also called for the nationalisation of independent Ebtedayi madrasas, one-time payment of retirement and welfare benefits, and the speedy completion of the teacher transfer process.
He further demanded that an announcement on the one-time payment of retirement benefits be made by October 31. He warned that a series of protest programmes would be announced if visible progress was not made in implementing the teachers' demands.
If 26,000 Primary Schools Were Nationalised, Why Not MPO-Listed Institutions?
Speaking as a special guest, Principal Maulana Nazrul Islam said that 26,000 primary schools had been nationalised in the post-independence period. He questioned why the nationalisation of MPO-listed educational institutions was facing prolonged delays and said the relevant authorities should explain the reasons.
He said nationalisation had long been an aspiration of MPO-listed teachers and employees. The government should not ignore their demands but instead take prompt decisions to ensure their financial security and professional dignity.
Six-Point Charter of Demands
The conference presented six key demands:
Unconditional nationalisation of all MPO-listed madrasas and educational institutions.
Nationalisation of independent Ebtedayi madrasas.
Introduction of stipends and a mid-day meal programme for Ebtedayi students.
Provision of housing, medical, festival and education allowances in line with government rules.
Ensuring salaries, allowances and other financial benefits for MPO-listed teachers and employees according to the ninth national pay scale.
One-time payment of retirement and welfare benefits, along with the prompt issuance of transfer orders for institution heads, superintendents and assistant teachers who have applied for transfers.
Speakers said ensuring teachers' financial security and professional dignity would enable them to perform their teaching responsibilities more effectively. They stressed that implementing the long-standing demands was essential to improving madrasa education, promoting students' moral development and strengthening the sector's contribution to national progress.
The conference was chaired by Principal Abu Zafar Md. Mainuddin and conducted by Principal Mohammad Safiullah.
Special guests included Principal Dr. Muhammad Ruhul Amin Azadi and Principal Md. Zainal Abedin. Principal Md. Lokman Hossain was the keynote speaker.
During the programme, Principal Maulana Md. Delwar Hossain Azizi was presented with a commemorative crest by the Bhola district chapter of the Bangladesh Madrasa Teachers and Employees Forum.
Among those present were the forum's Bhola district member-secretary, Professor Amir Hossain, and Sadar Upazila president, Principal Ayub Ali, along with leaders from different levels of the organisation.
Principals, vice-principals, superintendents, assistant superintendents, teachers and employees from various madrasas across Bhola district also attended the conference.
At the conclusion, the participants called for urgent intervention by the relevant government authorities to implement the six-point demands and ensure the legitimate rights of teachers and employee.
FP/A
