‘Nationalise education’

Teachers all across the country observed World Teachers' Day yesterday, demanding nationalisation of education.

On the occassion, different programmes were organised, where teachers also demanded an end to the discrimination, in terms of salaries and other benefits, between teachers of private and public institutions.

While attending a programme by Swadhinata Shikkhak Parishad in the capital, Deputy Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury said works will get underway to include non-government teachers in the Monthly Payment Order (MPO) scheme from this month.

The government has plans to gradually bring all non-government teachers and schools under this scheme, he added.

Under the MPO scheme, the government pays teachers of non-government schools 100 percent of their basic salaries. The teachers also get small monthly payments as allowance through MPO.

"The government has plans to nationalise education sector aiming to improve quality of education as well," said Mohibul, according to a press release by the teachers council.

Meanwhile, Mahbubul-Alam Hanif, joint general secretary  of Awami League, at another programme urged teachers to abstain from "ill politics".

The Parishad arranged the programme tilted "Dignity of teachers in the eyes Bangabandhu" at the Institution of Engineers, marking World Teachers' Day.

The general secretary of the Parishad, Shahjahan Alam Shaju, presented the keynote paper at the programme, presided over by educationist Professor Sajedul Islam.

Meanwhile, a group of non government teachers formed a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club, also demanding the nationalisation of MPO included schools by November 30.

The programme was held under the banner of "MPO Bhukto Shikkak-Karmachary Jatiyakaran Prattashi Mahajote."

World Teachers' Day is observed annually on October 5 to celebrate all teachers around the globe, commemorating the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.