Primary Teachers and Staff in Haor-Island-Char region to Receive Allowance
In a recent development, it has been decided that teachers and staff of government primary schools in 16 upazilas across the country will receive allowances for working in the Haor/Island/Char areas. This decision comes after the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance requesting a budget of 7 crore 51 lakh 59 thousand 600 taka for this purpose.
The Ministry of Finance had previously determined the monthly allowance rates for employees working in the 16 upazilas, designated as Haor/Island/Char areas, in a memorandum dated January 26, 2022. Consequently, the concerned employees in these upazilas have been receiving the specified allowances. However, it has been highlighted that permanent residents of the designated upazilas will not be eligible for the allowance if they work outside their respective areas during the allotted time. As a result, many permanent residents are being deprived of this allowance.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has requested the Ministry of Finance to revoke the directive issued by the Ministry of Finance’s memorandum on January 26, 2022, in order to ensure the provision of allowances to local teachers and staff of government primary schools under their jurisdiction in the Haor/Island/Char regions. It has been noted in the letter that due to the lack of teachers in these remote areas, the teaching activities in schools are being hindered, especially for female teachers who face significant challenges in reaching the schools.
The memorandum issued by the Ministry of Finance on February 18, 2019, declared the 16 upazilas as Haor/Island/Char regions, allocating funds from the revenue budget to provide regular allowances to teachers and staff working in these areas. For the fiscal year 2025-26, a budget of 30 crore 34 lakh 26 thousand taka has been allocated for this purpose. However, an additional budget of 7 crore 51 lakh 59 thousand 600 taka will be required to provide allowances to all teachers and staff in the 16 designated upazilas. The Ministry has urged the Ministry of Finance to cancel the directive from the Finance Department’s Branch 3 issued on January 26, 2022, to facilitate the additional budget allocation.
In a meeting held with economic advisors on March 2 and with the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance on May 12, the issue of providing allowances to teachers and staff in Haor/Island/Char regions was discussed. Discussions included financial implications and proposals for budget allocation. It is crucial to address the challenges faced by teachers and staff working in these remote areas to ensure the effective operation of schools and the quality of education provided to students.
In conclusion, the government’s initiative to provide allowances to teachers and staff in the Haor-Island-Char regions is a positive step towards supporting education in these challenging environments. The allocation of additional funds will help address the financial needs of educators and facilitate the smooth functioning of schools in these areas.