Md. Tanzim Hossain

In Bangladesh, education is often hailed as the key to national development, and teachers are praised as the architects of the nation. Yet, behind the façade of this glorification lies a harsh reality for over five hundred thousand MPO enlisted teachers, who form the backbone of the country's education system, working in nearly 97% of the nation’s educational institutions. These teachers, entrusted with the responsibility of shaping future generations, are subjected to a life of financial struggle, professional inequity, and institutional neglect.

At the entry level, an MPO enlisted teacher earns a paltry sum of 12,750 BDT per month, which includes a 1,000 BDT house rent allowance and a meager 500 BDT medical allowance. Such allowances are absurd in the context of today’s Bangladesh, where even basic living costs have soared beyond what this salary can accommodate. The idea of securing accommodation for just 1,000 BDT in any town or city is laughable, and the 500 BDT medical allowance is barely enough to buy a few days’ worth of medicine, let alone provide comprehensive healthcare.

These teachers receive two bonuses per year, amounting to just 25% of their base salary for the two Eid festivals—yet, these bonuses offer little relief in the face of rising living expenses. Beyond these minimal benefits, the financial situation of MPO enlisted teachers remains stagnant and bleak, pushing many to the brink of despair. With such poor compensation, how can we realistically expect these educators to fully focus on their duties and responsibilities when their own survival is at stake?

For years, MPO enlisted teachers have taken to the streets in a desperate bid to have their voices heard. Yet, time and time again, their pleas have been met with empty promises from authorities. The previous education minister offered nothing but hollow assurances, leaving teachers feeling deceived, disillusioned, and betrayed. These are not mere political actors or agitators looking to stir unrest. These are educators—men and women whose rightful place is in the classroom, holding chalk, not on the streets holding placards.

This ongoing inequity raises a crucial question: how can we hope to deliver quality education when the very foundation of our system—our teachers—are underpaid, overworked, and undervalued? Government-employed teachers enjoy significantly higher pay, job security, and benefits, while their MPO enlisted counterparts, despite performing the same tasks and shouldering the same responsibilities, are left in financial limbo. Why should there be such a glaring imbalance when the roles they play in shaping young minds are identical?

The state must recognize that the future of the country depends on its teachers. To disregard their needs and suppress their demands is to endanger the very future of the nation. Nationalization of MPO enlisted institutions is not merely a demand—it is a necessity, a matter of justice. Nationalization would bring uniformity in pay scales, enhance job security, and provide essential benefits, offering teachers the dignity and respect they deserve. Empowered and well-supported teachers are essential for inspiring and educating our children effectively.

This problem extends beyond teachers—it touches the lives of students and their families. In MPO enlisted schools, parents are often forced to pay tuition fees ranging from 200 to 2,000 BDT, while government schools charge a nominal 10-20 BDT. This disparity not only burdens families but also creates a chasm in the quality of education available to different social classes. How can we claim to strive for an equitable society when education, the most fundamental of all services, remains out of reach for many due to financial disparity?

The time for promises and placating words has long passed. The government must act swiftly and decisively to nationalize MPO enlisted institutions and ensure that teachers across the country receive the respect, compensation, and working conditions they rightfully deserve. The future of our children—the future of our nation—depends on it.

If we continue to ignore the plight of our teachers, we will pay the price with a deteriorating education system and a generation of undereducated citizens. A demoralized, impoverished, and underappreciated teacher cannot be expected to deliver the standard of education that our children need and deserve.

It is time to restore dignity to the teaching profession. It is time to give teachers the compensation and respect that reflects their invaluable contribution to society. Nationalizing MPO enlisted institutions is not just a demand—it is the key to unlocking the future of Bangladesh.

The writer is a, Central Co-ordinator, Boishommo Birodhi Shommilito Shikkok Shomaj.