United News of Bangladesh

MPO-enlisted Teachers’ Nationalisation Aspirants’ Alliance on Monday warned of tougher programmes if the government fails to issue the gazette of the 9th national pay scale by February 4. Alliance Member Secretary Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi said human chain programme will be staged in all districts on February 5 and memorandums will also be submitted to the Chief Adviser through deputy commissioners. If the demands remain unmet, stricter programmes will be announced after consultations with alliance leaders, he said at a press conference held at the Maulana Akram Khan Hall of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. In his written statement, Azizi said the interim government formed the National Pay Commission-2025 on July 27 last year to adjust government employees’ salaries in line with inflation. Former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan was appointed chairman of the commission, which was tasked with reviewing existing pay, allowances and other benefits and recommending a time-appropriate pay structure. He said the commission formally began operations with its first meeting on August 14 and collected opinions online through four questionnaires from employees, the general public, institutions and organisations. It also held meetings with leaders of almost all professional stakeholder groups to gather their views. As stakeholders representing more than 600,000 teachers and employees, leaders of the MPO-enlisted Teachers’ Nationalisation Aspirants’ Alliance were invited to a formal meeting with the Pay Commission-2025 chairman and members, where they placed their demands and proposals. The commission assured them that their proposals would be reflected in its recommendations, he added. Azizi said the 7th pay scale was announced in 2009 and the 8th in 2015, but no new pay scale has been declared in the last 11 years despite the need for two new scales during this period. “If the gazette of the pay scale is obstructed through conspiracies, frustration will spread among republic employees and normal state activities may be hampered,” he said, urging the interim government to issue the 9th pay scale gazette within its tenure. Finance adviser urges patience on new pay scale, backs referendum He said MPO-enlisted teachers and employees form the country’s largest professional group, supporting more than 600,000 families and around five million people, yet remain the most neglected among government-paid professionals. Speakers at the press conference included joint conveners Md Matiur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Secondary Technical Teachers’ Council; Md Nurul Amin Helaly, convener of Bangladesh MPO Teachers’ Council; Md Mizanur Rahman, its president; and Md Habibullah Raju, president of Bangladesh Madrasa General Teachers’ Association.

Teachers and staff of MPO-listed non-government educational institutions blocked Shahbagh intersection on Wednesday afternoon after breaking through a police barricade to press home their several demands. The protesters marched from the Central Shaheed Minar towards Shahbagh where police had set up barricades in front of Shahbagh Police Station. MPO teachers, staf threaten march to Secretariat if demands not met by 4pm Defying the barriers, the demonstrators broke through and took position at the busy intersection, halting traffic movement in the surrounding areas.

With the help of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), BRAC Bank has made it easy for MPO-listed teachers to purchase laptops through its Digital Personal Loan. BRAC Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with DSHE at the latter’s office in Dhaka recenly. According to BRAC Bank, the teachers can apply for the loan digitally through Shadhin platform developed by Shadhin Fintech Solutions Limited. Their applications will be assessed, and the bank will disburse the loans digitally with this end-to-end solution. Teachers can avail of up to BDT 80,000 with an instalment facility of 6/9/12/15 months. They will not need to pay any down payment. Walton Digi-tech will provide the laptops at a special discounted price. An official of the BRAC Bank said the loan will be collateral free and single digit interest rate will be applicable in repayment of the loan. With this financing facility, the teachers could now create digital content for their students. The initiative is an example of financial inclusion and innovation in banking services which will also contribute to the government’s vision of Digital Bangladesh. Read: IFC, BRAC Bank to launch Bangladesh’s first ever housing bond In the first phase, teachers of MPO-listed educational institutions in Savar and Gazipur areas can avail the loan facility. Professor Nehal Ahmed, Director General, DSHE; and Selim R. F. Hussain, Managing Director & CEO, BRAC Bank, signed the agreement in favour of their respective organizations. All Directors of DSHE; Liaquat Ali, Deputy Managing Director, Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited; Mohammed Shadman, Chairperson, Shadhin Fintech Solutions Limited; Md. Mahiul Islam, Head of Retail Banking; Md. Monirul Islam Rony, Head of Retail Lending; S M Ishtiaque, Head of Digital Loan Underwriting; Muntasir Rahman, Head of Application Development and Enterprise Systems, BRAC Bank, were also present. The unique aspect of this loan is that it will be processed and disbursed digitally, giving convenience to the teachers.