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.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday declared 2716 privately run educational institutions eligible for monthly payment order (MPO). Under the MPO scheme the government pays 100 per cent of the basic salaries to the teachers of non-government institutions. The PM made the announcement while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of country’s first campus-based business incubator ‘Sheikh Kamal IT Business Incubator’ at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) through video links from her official residence Ganobhaban. Among the new MPO beneficiaries are 666 lower secondary schools, 1122 secondary schools, 136 higher secondary schools, 109 higher secondary colleges and 18 degree colleges. The new MPO list also includes some 665 educational institutions under the vocational and madrassa education board. These are 97 SSC vocational or Dakhil vocational, 200 SSC business management and technology, two diploma in agriculture, 264 Dakhil Madrassa, 85 Alerm Madrassa, six  Farazi Madrassa and 11 Kamil Madrassa. Also read: MPO for new educational institutions to be announced this month: Dipu Moni Along with unveiling the Sheikh Kamal Business Incubator the PM also inaugurated Sheikh Jamal Dormitory and Rosy Jamal Dormitory  

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Iqbal Mahmood on Tuesday said the commission will not allow corruption, bribery or harassment in the process of Monthly Pay Order (MPO) registration of educational institutions.