6 teachers for 18 posts at Morelganj Girls’ High-School

Only six teachers are working against 18 approved teaching posts at Morelganj Government Girls’ High School in Bagerhat.

There are no teachers for several important subjects. As a result, educational activities at the school have long been affected by the manpower shortage, causing immense suffering for students.

Established in 1968 and nationalised in 1984, Morelganj Government Girls’ High School is one of the oldest and most reputed educational institutions in the upazila. However, the lack of teachers has been hampering its normal academic activities for a long time.

According to school sources, there are no teachers against two posts in Bengali, while one teacher is working against two posts in English.

There are no teachers against two posts in Mathematics, one post in Biology and three posts in Social Science. In contrast, two teachers are working against one post in Islamic Studies. There is one teacher each against one post in Business Studies, Geography and Agricultural Studies. In addition, two trade teacher posts are vacant.

The school’s acting assistant headmaster, Muhammad Zakir Hossain, said, “A letter has been sent to the higher authorities regarding the vacant posts of teachers and staff. Although the necessary manpower has been requested, it has not yet been provided.”

Acting headmaster H. M. Shahidul Islam said, “The authorities have been informed about the shortage of teachers and staff. Teaching is being disrupted due to the lack of necessary teachers.

Even so, we are making every effort to keep the students’ academic activities running with the available manpower.”

Meanwhile, parents said that as the institution is a girls’ school, it is particularly important to have an adequate number of female teachers. However, due to the shortage of teachers, students have to depend on coaching centres or private tutors for important subjects. This not only increases the financial burden on parents but also puts additional pressure on students.

Local parents and students expressed disappointment that the teacher shortage has continued for a long time without any permanent solution. They warned that if vacant teaching and staff posts are not filled soon, the negative impact on students’ education could worsen.

As a result, students are being deprived of regular classes in several important subjects, including Bengali, Mathematics, Biology, Social Science and Trade. Due to the shortage, existing teachers have to take additional classes in multiple subjects, creating extra pressure on them. There is also uncertainty over completing the curriculum on time.

Not only teaching posts but also several staff positions have remained vacant for a long time. Posts for various fourth-class employees, including upper- and lower-level assistants, typists and security personnel, are also vacant, forcing the school to run its administrative and daily activities with limited manpower.

Currently, an assistant teacher is serving as the acting headmaster, while another assistant teacher is serving as the acting assistant headmaster. As a result, they have to handle administrative responsibilities alongside their regular academic duties.

Local parents, students and conscious citizens have demanded the immediate appointment of teachers and staff to the vacant posts to maintain the quality of education and preserve the reputation of the long-established institution. They also called for appointing teachers in key subjects to ensure regular and quality education.

The fact that the school, one of the important educational institutions among the upazila’s 16 unions and one municipality, is conducting academic activities with only six teachers against 18 approved posts requires urgent attention from the authorities concerned.