Russel Mia, Amtali (Barguna)

The activities of the Secondary Education Department are being carried out with only one Upazila Secondary Education Officer in three upazilas of Barguna. Administrative and academic activities are being hampered due to the long-standing vacancy of various important posts. This is increasing the suffering of the teachers and employees concerned.

According to the District Secondary Education Office and related sources, Taltoli Upazila Secondary Education Officer Md. Tipu Sultan has been given the responsibility of Amtoli and Patharghata Upazilas in addition to his own Upazila. As a result, the same officer has to handle the official and educational activities of the three Upazilas simultaneously.

The concerned said that there has been a manpower shortage in the secondary education offices of the three upazilas for a long time. In particular, the posts of assistant education officer have been vacant for 15 years or more. In addition, the post of Amtali Upazila Secondary Education Officer has been vacant for about a year. At the same time, the post of data entry operator is also vacant, creating various complications in official work.

Taltoli Upazila Secondary Education Officer Md. Tipu Sultan said, "It is very difficult for one person to fulfill the responsibilities of three upazilas. I work in Taltoli five days a week. If there is any urgent work, I have to go to Amtoli and Patharghata."

He also said that starting from the junior scholarship exam to various public and other exams, one has to perform additional duties. In Amtali and Patharghata upazilas, performing the examination duties also becomes difficult at times.

The concerned said that there is one academic supervisor each in Amtali and Patharghata Upazila Secondary Education Offices. However, due to the high scope of responsibilities and work of the Secondary Education Officer, it is not possible for the academic supervisor to complete all the officer's work.

Salim Mahmud, academic supervisor of Amtali Upazila Secondary Education Office, said that normal activities have been disrupted due to the absence of a secondary education officer in the Amtali Upazila Secondary Education Office for almost a year. Many tasks could have been done easily if there was an assistant education officer. The post of data entry operator has also been vacant for almost a year. As a result, many office tasks have to be done outside.

Meanwhile, teacher leaders have complained that the position of secondary education officer has been vacant for a long time, which is causing problems in various administrative tasks for teachers and employees.

Md. Delwar Hossain, convener of the Amtali Upazila branch of the Bangladesh Teachers-Employees Alliance, said that due to the lack of secondary education officers for a long time, teachers and employees of schools, colleges and madrasas are facing problems in various tasks. It is necessary to fill the vacant posts of secondary education officers and assistant education officers in Amtali and Patharghata upazilas as soon as possible.

Md. Rezaul Karim, member secretary of the Amtoli Upazila branch of the Bangladesh Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance, said that the post of Amtoli Upazila Secondary Education Officer has been vacant for more than a year. In addition, the post of Assistant Education Officer has also been vacant for a long time. This is creating various complications in the administrative and official work of the secondary education activities of the upazila.

They urged the Ministry of Education to ensure a normal environment for educational activities by quickly appointing manpower to all relevant positions, including the vacant posts of Upazila Secondary Education Officer and Assistant Education Officer.

With the responsibility of three upazilas being on one official, it has become difficult to properly perform regular supervision, administrative work, solving various problems of teachers and employees, and examination-related responsibilities. Those concerned fear that this will have a long-term negative impact on the management of secondary education in the upazila.

To maintain the quality of education and normal administrative activities, teacher and employee leaders have demanded the immediate appointment of separate secondary education officers in Amtali and Patharghata upazilas, as well as the appointment of manpower for the long-standing vacant assistant education officers and other positions.