Dhaka, July 15 (V7N) – Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has directed authorities to immediately fill the 32,000 vacant head teacher positions in government primary schools across Bangladesh. He emphasized that this should be done efficiently and with clear criteria, prioritizing experience, merit, and youth inclusion.

The directive came during a high-level meeting held at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday (July 14), where the Chief Advisor reviewed the current status of primary education in the country.

Quality Still Lags Despite Infrastructure Investment

During the meeting, Advisor Bidhan Ranjan Roy reported that while significant investments have been made in improving the infrastructure of primary schools, the quality of education remains below expectations.

“We are ranking schools based on performance. Schools with strong leadership—especially capable head teachers—are consistently doing better,” Roy said.

He added that 32,000 government primary schools currently lack appointed head teachers, which is severely hampering education quality. Roy assured the Chief Advisor that steps are underway to expedite recruitment.

Head Teacher Recruitment: Blend of Experience and Youth

Chief Advisor Yunus directed that the recruitment process be conducted in collaboration with the Public Service Commission (PSC) and completed without delay.

“Appointments must ensure quality. Create a structured system—prioritize experienced educators, but also give opportunities to promising young teachers,” Yunus said.

He stressed that recruitment notifications must be issued immediately, and the entire process should be transparent, merit-based, and efficient.

Reforms in Teacher Transfer Policy

The Chief Advisor also instructed the Education Ministry to reform the transfer policy for teachers.

“There’s a tendency for newly appointed teachers to seek transfers to city-adjacent schools through lobbying. This must stop. We need a clear and fair policy,” Yunus stated.

He called for a transparent, rule-based transfer mechanism to prevent undue influence and ensure equity.

Focus on Girls' Education and Infrastructure

Yunus further questioned whether schools were women-friendly, particularly in terms of infrastructure and policy. He called for special planning considerations for female students and staff.

“Include at least one female architect in school building design committees. Ensure facilities are tailored to meet the needs of girls,” he instructed.

Push for Digital Classrooms

Reaffirming his commitment to modernization, the Chief Advisor stressed the need to provide reliable internet access and multimedia classrooms in every government primary school.

“This is the era of digital learning. Every child in Bangladesh, regardless of location, must be included in this transformation,” Yunus emphasized.

The bold directives from Dr. Yunus come at a critical time when Bangladesh seeks to bridge the gap between access and quality in education. Analysts say this comprehensive push for reform could mark a turning point for primary education if implemented effectively.