Education Adviser Prof Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud has said that there are major complaints of financial transactions in the MPO registration of private teachers.

“If necessary, recruitment and MPO registration will be done together through the Non-Government Teachers Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA),” he said.

Speaking during an exchange of views with the Education Reporters Association, Bangladesh (ERAB) at the planning ministry on Wednesday, he emphasised the government’s commitment to streamlining the process and ensuring transparency.

The adviser dismissed the possibility of forming an education reform commission at this stage, citing the sector’s current disarray. “First, the chaos in the education sector must be addressed and corruption eradicated to establish good governance,” he said.

He proposed the formation of an ‘Education Sector Advisory Council’ comprising eminent educationists once stability is restored.

He revealed plans to hold universities accountable for their admission processes, particularly those outside the cluster system. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been tasked with reviewing financial records to assess the costs and earnings of universities in and out of the cluster.

Don’t know when all students will get textbooks: Education Adviser

The adviser reiterated his commitment to curbing corruption in education administration. “Corruption in education administration cannot be resolved overnight. We will issue warnings first and if evidence is found, strict actions will be taken to set an example,” he said.

The adviser pointed to historical policy errors, including the conversion of reputable colleges into university colleges in 1972, as contributing to the decline in education standards. He criticised the proliferation of National University-affiliated colleges, which he argued have exacerbated unemployment among graduates.

“In developed countries, 70 percent of students pursue technical education. Here, the focus on honours and master’s degrees is producing unemployed graduates,” he said, urging a shift towards technical and vocational training.

EFT system eliminates inconvenience of MPO-enlisted teachers: Education Adviser

Highlighting the plight of Ebtedayi Madrasa teachers, he described their salaries as unfair compared to those in nationalised primary schools. “The salary for Ebtedayi Madrasa teachers is only Tk 1,500, while head teachers earn Tk 3,000. Their grievances are valid, but instead of resorting to hunger strikes, we need time to prioritise and address their concerns effectively,” he added.

ERAB President Faruque Hossain, General Secretary Solamain Salman and other association leaders were present during the discussion.