The government is planning to introduce a special allowance for teachers serving in char and other hard-to-reach areas, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said today.

While addressing a daylong workshop on reforms in classroom activities, monitoring, accountability and administrative structure in primary education at the PTI auditorium in Rangpur, he said the allowance would be determined based on a school’s location, travel distance, transport facilities and degree of remoteness.

“We need to determine afresh which areas should actually be considered remote and how teachers and officials serving there should receive special facilities,” he added.

According to a press release from the ministry, schools in remote char areas of different districts are being considered for inclusion. Recommendations from field-level officials will be compiled and sent to the authorities before final decisions are taken, said Bobby.

The state minister also announced that a “Science Toy” programme will be introduced on a pilot basis at primary schools from next year to encourage children’s interest in science, creativity and problem-solving. In addition, eight sports activities will be made compulsory under the new primary curriculum to support physical and mental development.

Bobby warned of strict action against the use of proxy teachers and said irregularities in attendance, classroom teaching or negligence in duty would not be tolerated.

On administrative reform, he stressed that responsibilities, decision-making authority and accountability must be clearly defined at every level of the primary education administration. “The ultimate destination of all activities of the primary education administration is the school and the classroom. The benefits of administrative reform must therefore be visible in children’s learning environment,” he said.

The workshop was chaired by Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Israt Jahan. Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi, Director (Administration) Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, and Joint Secretary Israt Jahan attended as special guests, along with primary education officials from across Rangpur division.