Errant teachers
Thursday, 28 June 2007
A good number of teachers of the country's highest seat of learning, according to a recent report in sections of the media, are either staying abroad without authorisation or otherwise preoccupied with their assignments at private universities and various consultancies that do not provide them much opportunities to be careful about their regular jobs. This picture is not a typical one of this institution alone. The situation in varying degrees is a similar one also in other public or publicly-run institutions of higher education .
What can be an effective strategy against this malaise? It appears that the first thing in order is a proper motivational environment for the teachers of public universities and institutions. Compared to the much better paid teachers at private universities, their salaries are still found to be substantially lower in comparison even after several revisions. Thus, the salaries of teachers of public universities and institutes must be raised to be at par with the ones in private institutions. After having done this, rules and regulations will have to be made afresh and strictly enforced to limit their outside involvement in academic work for a remuneration. No less important would be devising mechanisms so that the teachers who go abroad feel obligated to return to the country to resume their teaching activities. It should be absolutely arranged before their leaving that they would have to return and serve in their own country.
Abu Taher
Shaymoli, Dhaka
What can be an effective strategy against this malaise? It appears that the first thing in order is a proper motivational environment for the teachers of public universities and institutions. Compared to the much better paid teachers at private universities, their salaries are still found to be substantially lower in comparison even after several revisions. Thus, the salaries of teachers of public universities and institutes must be raised to be at par with the ones in private institutions. After having done this, rules and regulations will have to be made afresh and strictly enforced to limit their outside involvement in academic work for a remuneration. No less important would be devising mechanisms so that the teachers who go abroad feel obligated to return to the country to resume their teaching activities. It should be absolutely arranged before their leaving that they would have to return and serve in their own country.
Abu Taher
Shaymoli, Dhaka