Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today told the parliament that 60,295 teaching positions remain vacant in schools and colleges under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme.
Responding to a query from National Citizen Party MP Hasnat Abdullah, the minister said recruitment in MPO-listed institutions is ongoing through the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) in a transparent and merit-based process.
He added that applications have been invited to fill 11,151 vacant posts of principals and assistant principals in MPO-listed institutions.
Highlighting shortages in higher education, the minister said government colleges have 656 vacant lecturer posts under the BCS (General Education) cadre, while newly nationalised colleges have 2,410 vacant non-cadre lecturer positions.
To address the gaps, recruitment is underway through the 45th, 46th, 47th, 49th and 50th BCS examinations, he added.
Replying to BNP MP Selim Bhuiyan, the minister said there are 34,129 non-government educational institutions in the country, employing 598,994 teachers and 206,699 staff members.
He noted that the government may take steps to nationalise jobs of teachers and staff in private institutions if a policy decision is made.
In response to another question from BNP MP Shafiqul Rahman, Milon said the government remains committed to equity, inclusion and quality in education. He stressed that political affiliation does not influence development or MPO inclusion decisions, which are based on established policies and standards.
The minister added that 6,179 educational institutions currently remain outside MPO coverage, but eligible institutions will be brought under development programmes and MPO facilities in phases.
Answering a query from BNP MP Munshi Rafiqul Alam, he said demand letters have been sent to the Bangladesh Public Service Commission to recruit 2,330 teachers for government secondary schools.
He also said 728 candidates who passed BCS examinations have received temporary nominations as assistant teachers (non-cadre), while initiatives have been taken to create 782 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) posts to address teacher shortages.
