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The government is considering introducing a separate pay scale for teachers, similar to the separate pay structure available for members of the judiciary, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan said on Sunday.
He made the remarks in response to a question at a meeting of the National Steering Committee formed to observe World Teachers’ Day, held at the conference room of the Education Ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday (September 6).
Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque and other officials were present at the meeting.
Asked about plans for a separate salary structure to attract talented people to the teaching profession, the education minister said the next pay scale is being introduced after 11 years and has not been adjusted for inflation.
“This was a realisation of the prime minister,” he said.
“Going forward, we are considering introducing a separate pay scale for teachers, just as there is a separate pay scale for the judiciary. However, it is difficult for a political government to take such a major decision within such a short time. InshaAllah, we will move in that direction,” he added.
Regarding the difficulties faced by non-government teachers in receiving retirement benefits and pensions, Milan said the government was working to resolve the problem.
“Teachers have suffered, and we are working to overcome their difficulties,” he said, adding that the government had already taken a “landmark” initiative, under the prime minister’s direction, to reform the retirement benefit and welfare trust systems for teachers.
He said teachers’ outstanding contributions dating back to 2021, up to August 8, 2024, had already been paid, while the government was gradually fulfilling its responsibilities. He expressed hope that the issue would be resolved through allocations in the upcoming budgets.
Teachers to Be Included in National Pay Scale
Asked whether non-government teachers would be included in the new pay scale, the Secondary and Higher Education Division secretary, who is also a member of the National Pay Commission, said the government’s objective was to improve the welfare of teachers and the education sector.
“Our intention is very simple—to improve the condition of teachers and the education sector. We may make mistakes, but we correct them. We are making every effort to ensure that teachers under our jurisdiction are included,” he said.
He added that the government had requested their inclusion and that the authorities had agreed to it.
“Teachers will definitely be included in the national pay scale. Whatever government employees receive, they will receive the same. This is what I know so far,” he said.
