Nationalisation of all secondary schools

Bangladesh has more than 20,000 secondary schools, 684 of which are run by the government. The number of teachers in both public and private secondary schools is close to 300,000. However, the teachers and employees of non-government schools face discriminatory treatment. Both public and private school teachers teach their students under the same curriculum. But MPO (monthly pay order)-listed school teachers get 25 per cent festival allowance, Tk 1,000 house rent and Tk 500 medical allowance per month. This discriminatory treatment should come to an end. All teachers should enjoy same facilities. For this, private school teachers have been demanding nationalisation of all non-government secondary schools for a long time. Now the protesting teachers are continuing a sit-in programme in front of National Press Club in Dhaka city.
Not just secondary education, all forms of education should be nationalised. When this happens, it will ensure education for all. Then there will be no disparity among teachers. According to an American study, 20 per cent of quality education depends on conducive learning environment and infrastructural facilities. But 85 per cent of quality education depends on teachers. So, our teachers need financial freedom to impart quality education. Quality education cannot be expected from teachers who are struggling to survive. Therefore, the government should nationalise all secondary schools, and take initiatives to provide teachers with standard salaries and allowances.

Md Maruf Hassan Bhiuyan,
Feni Sadar, Feni,
mdmarufhassanbhiuyen@gmail.com