MPO teachers to get higher allowances
Staff Reporter :
The outgoing Education Adviser Wahid Uddin Mahmud has shared positive news regarding the allowances for MPO (government-funded salary and allowances) teachers.
He stated that festival allowances, entertainment allowances, house rent, and other benefits for teachers will be increased.
On Wednesday a farewell ceremony was held in the conference room of the Ministry of Education to mark Wahid Uddin Mahmud’s departure and the appointment of CR Abrar. During the event, Mahmud provided an update on the matter.
He remarked, “I had assured everyone that we would make every effort to accommodate these demands in this year’s and next year’s budget by engaging with the Ministry of Finance.”
However, he acknowledged the challenges involved, saying, “Fifteen to twenty years of deprivation cannot be resolved within just one or two budget cycles. It is difficult to make people understand this.
The demand for private-sector salaries to be brought in line with government salaries is entirely justified, but how can a 15-year disparity be addressed in just one year’s budget? Nonetheless, we must begin the process, and we are taking the initial steps towards that goal.”
Mahmud further elaborated, “For MPO teachers, festival allowances, entertainment allowances, house rent, and medical allowances will see at least some increase, starting from this year’s Eid-ul-Azha and continuing into next year’s budget. I am not announcing the exact amount, but I am aware that provisions are being made within the budgets for this year and the next.”
He also revealed that a fund is being established to support teachers’ retirement and welfare allowances. “Some funds have already been allocated this year, and additional provisions will be made in the next budget.
However, ensuring the sustainability of the entire fund cannot be achieved within just one or two budget cycles. I expect that within three to four budget periods, a complete solution will be in place.”
The outgoing adviser also highlighted concerns regarding the management of the retirement and welfare fund, stating, “The money was deliberately kept in a bank that lacked sufficient funds. Some of these funds have already been redirected elsewhere.”
He stressed the importance of addressing this issue, saying, “Providing welfare and retirement allowances to private MPO teachers is their most legitimate demand.
However, they are not organised and have never staged protests. Yet, I have always believed that this should have been the first issue to be addressed.”