Upgraded status and salary raise for primary teachers

Shaikh Saleque | Published: April 11, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

Salary of the headmasters of government primary schools in the country has been raised and their status upgraded. According to an announcement by the prime minister on March 09, the head teachers will now enjoy the status of class II employees of the republic instead of class III, as was the case so long. The prime minister further announced that along with the headmaster's, salary of assistant teachers of primary schools would also be raised. A circular to this effect has been issued by the primary and mass education ministry soon after the prime minister's announcement
Primary school teachers had been demonstrating for long to have their status upgraded. This was no doubt a genuine demand of not only the teachers, but the educationists and those working for expansion of education in the country. Teachers known as the architects of an educated nation should command dignity and honour in society. Elevation of their service status recognises this.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
It is true that there are widespread allegations against primary school teachers. The most common of these are: they are not punctual, they frequently abstain from their duties and remain busy with household works instead of coming to school. With the elevation to gazetted status, the headmasters can now be expected to exercise more authority in disciplining the educational institutions at the base level. On the other hand, salary raise of the teachers in general is expected to make them more conscious about their responsibilities.
It has been observed that because of the prevailing unemployment situation in the country, many young men and women having university degrees initially take up the job of primary teachers. The government also spends huge amount of money on their recruitment and training. But eventually, upon getting better employment, many of these young men and women quit the schools. Increase in salary and upgradation of status may encourage university graduates to continue with the noble profession of teaching at the base level. Consequently, it may also improve the quality of primary education in the country.
The primary teachers' association welcomed the decision saying that the move would help improve primary education. It is learnt that the government is contemplating elevation of primary education up to Class-VIII from Class V, making it compulsory for every child. This will be another step forward towards building an educated society.
The education sector has made remarkable improvement in recent times. Discipline has been restored in the academic arena to a commendable extent, particularly in holding the public examinations at primary and junior levels. The government is providing free textbooks for students up to the secondary level on the very first day of the year; enrolment in primary schools has also gone high. However, there are anomalies in the introduction of mid-day meal in the schools. This area needs immediate attention as providing a meal in the school would not only ensure sound health of the students, it may be seen as an effective tool to check dropouts. It has been learnt that computer education would also be made compulsory at the primary level. Multimedia-equipped class rooms and ICT labs are being introduced in schools along with imparting necessary training to teachers. In this context, it is important to note that despite the government's claim that all primary and secondary level books have been converted into e-books, the vast majority of the students can not get benefit from it as they remain out of internet network. Â
With the latest move of the government, it is now the turn of the teachers to respond to the responsibilities entrusted upon them. The government should strengthen monitoring and vigilance without showing any leniency. As is the case of other public employees, primary teachers should be posted anywhere within the country.Â Â Â Â Â
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