Quality teachers can ensure quality education

Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
Development and education co-exist and they are so linked that one cannot flourish without other. Without education modernization and development are absurd. Like other developing countries, Bangladesh is no exception but giving priorities to education. But how far it is meant for quality education- that remains a question. From the survey of UNESCO, a developing country requires to spend six person (6%) of its GDP for education. Whereas, we spend only 2% the present situation is rather better than its past experience. This is a good deal of amount from budget point but how fair it is spent and whether it is effectively used or there is a proper out put? These all points must be taken into consideration. From these issue, quality education has become very part and parcel.
It is true that literacy rate is more or less satisfactory but the number of qualitative figure is not increasing. The present hon’ble finance minister himself is the example. One information comes from him that the foreign experts are given to almost 5 billions of dollar as commission, fee, allowances per anum which amounts to 500 crore of dollars. Only 2 lacs of foreign experts are taking away this big amount of foreign currency to their native land. This happens only for the shortage of our own skilled personnel and lackings of knowledge in the respective area or field of expenditure. The majority of these outside citizens belong to India and Sree-Lanka who are technically sound and skilled in English language.
Every year, a good number of students are obtaining graduation and post graduation degree on higher education. Majority are not employed whereas two lacs of managers, consultants and specialized engineers are being appointed. It is only because that our people are not specialized and skilled. They don’t have the quality training and quality education. What is responsible for it? It is for the reason that our teachers are not up to the expected standard. Only a sound curriculum and syllabus cannot fulfill optimum desire. An eligible teacher not only teaches but also he draws student’s attention, eager and interest to studies and again students are motivated by him towards an ideal and noble life.
For that, teachers are said to be the architect of building human life. By knowledge and quality a man can prosper. We are lagging behind for want of eligible teachers. Like any other profession, teaching is also considered as one for maintaining livelihood. But this profession is neglected. So, the meritorious do not urge to take it as a profession. In this field the majority choose it finding no other alternatives.
At present the bellow average are coming to this field by giving donation or other way. This is injurious for the institution and affects the whole educational environment. From British rule and afterwards, the govt. service has been made very attractive and powerful. In Bangladesh this colonial legacy is continuing and no govt. is taking any steps to break it. The general people are still handicapped to bureaucratic system. No office is rendering their proper service for the welfare of the deserving people.
There are attractive sectors where people want to be employed for a mind to earn much more and beyond the limit or range. This has been accepted by our community also it is getting institutionalized and convention. People are being fascinated by it. At present teachers also are indulging themselves to earn money illegally by lunching coaching centre and tuition business. In the past, it was not practiced as it is now going on. This is like a competition race in the realm of corruption and dishonesty. Achieving grade has become important in the society now.  
The non govt. secondary school teachers are the worst sufferer, in respect of payment form govt. side. The picture is not at all satisfactory. One MPO teacher gets only Tk. 16,000 per month. House rent ceiling is Tk. one thousand and Eid bonus is 25% of his salary. By this, he hardly maintains his livelihood. The govt. servants are enjoying 100% facilities including the yearly pay increments. This discriminating scenario demoralizes the teachers and it is the main cause of dissatisfaction among the teachers. Even the facilities like promotion from govt. school are not in equality with other govt. sectors. Here there is a limited scope for promotion. An Asstt. teacher belongs to 2nd class. To attain it he requires minimum 8 years of service length to get his senior scale which is in class-I category.
The 50% Asstt. teachers from the fit list are entitled to get promotion. Again one Assstt. Head teacher requires 18 to 20 years length of service. Under these circumstances, they do not pass happy life. Promotion of school teachers should come under a rational process by which they may be boost up. All non-govt. school, must be made govt. and come under an uniformed system.
In rural areas the school teachers are not efficient, effective for want of required training even they do not know the art of teaching. In every school there should be uniformed training curriculum and syllabus.
It must be run as routine as teaching of students. It should be regularly monitored and supervised from school managing committee as well as school inspection team. Moreover in the rural areas there are deficits of English and Math. teachers. So the vacancies must be filled up by eligible teachers.
This must be immediately taken care of. Because our 50% population are still living in the rural areas. By recent news from daily news papers it is learnt that, secretaries and Sr. secretaries of govt. will get taka 16,000 for the maintenance of house keepers or servants. A school teachers salary is Tk. 16.000 which has been mentioned earlier. If a house keeper and a school teacher both are equally valued then there will be a hue and cry in society. This can not be justified. In respect of payment The pay scale must be made rational and realistic. Other wise workers, will not work. There will be agitation, chaos, conflict, crises and even strike will be on. Teaching will be hampered. This is to bear in mind that worthy teachers and quality education both are essential. This needs to be judged under one and unique umbrella.  
By latest decision from finance division the house keepers allocation allowance for secretaries and senior secretaries has been passed as on order. This point has been discussed and pointed out as a matter of disregard to their profession in consideration of the similar amount of monthly paid money from govt. side as the daily Sangbad covered in its opinion column dated 29 June, 2018. A non-govt. school teachers profession and secretaries job or business are not the same. This has been done from global context of view. By the status of secretarial job, in other country, the way the secretaries are secured our secretaries are not treated like them. It is only for the maintenance of their position.
 So that they can uphold dignity. Bringing comparison of the housekeeper allowance to that of teachers monthly paid amount, the professional image of teacher can never be wiped-out or faded. On the other hand the allocation of secretaries’ maid servant allowance is mostly logical, because with this, secretaries personal life will be upgraded, this will boost up his family standard.
This will act as a catalyst to speed up govt. service towards people of that class. But in no way the teachers honour or dignity can not be defamed. Moreover secretaries job and job of teachers are not equal. However education may be nationalized like India or other countries. But private entrepreneurship in education can’t be accepted. Though it is some where in the world, yet, we are not in a position to run private entrepreneurship in education. In Bangladesh, no uniform ethic or code is followed. It is mostly random or like a bohemian nature.
However, for the sake of teaching eligibility and quality education, all sectoral education may be nationalized. Otherwise education sector may turn to a sick stake-holder from where nation can never and ever face the stern realities and challenges of the world. Govt. must understand the situation and tackle the future clumsiness.