By Saiful Islam

The Bangladesh Technical Teachers and Employees Council has placed a 10-point demand, including the nationalization of the education system, the introduction of a clear inter-transfer policy for teachers, and the establishment of a separate Ministry of Technical Education. The organization warned that it would announce a tougher protest programme if the government fails to take effective steps to implement these demands promptly.

The demands were presented at a press conference held on Saturday (August 1) at the Maulana Akram Khan Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka. The organization`s General Secretary, Engineer Abul Bashar, delivered the written statement.

In his statement, Abul Bashar said that technical and vocational education is one of the key driving forces behind the country`s economic growth and industrialization. However, the sector has long suffered from neglect, discrimination, administrative complications, and poor governance. He stressed that there is no alternative to implementing the organization`s 10-point charter to address these longstanding challenges.

Among the key demands are the nationalization of all educational institutions with their revenues deposited into the state treasury, the introduction of an inter-transfer system for teachers similar to that of government employees, the launch of at least two technical trade courses in every secondary school and college across the country, and the reinstatement of two Trade Instructor posts for each trade. The organization also called for ensuring salary payments by the first day of every month and taking effective measures against corruption within the Technical Education Board and the Directorate of Technical Education.

The organization further demanded that applications for B.Ed. degrees, higher pay scales, and MPO enrollment be processed entirely online, the enactment of a Teachers and Employees Protection Act, the establishment of modern laboratories in all MPO-listed technical educational institutions, expanded opportunities for local and international training, the creation of the post of Assistant Head Teacher (Technical) at the secondary level, the establishment of a separate Ministry of Technical Education, the upgrading of Assistant Librarians in technical colleges to the 10th pay grade, and the swift inclusion of non-MPO technical institutions under the MPO scheme.

Speakers at the press conference said that although the importance of technical education in producing a skilled workforce has been repeatedly emphasized, teachers and employees in the sector have long faced discrimination. Administrative complexities, delays in salary and allowance payments, limited opportunities for promotion, and inadequate infrastructure have also adversely affected the quality of technical education.

They said a written proposal outlining the demands has already been submitted to the government. According to the leaders, implementing these demands would not only benefit teachers and employees but would also provide financial advantages to the government and significantly improve the overall standard of technical education in Bangladesh.

Among those present at the press conference were Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, Member Secretary of the Alliance Seeking Nationalization of MPO-listed Educational Institutions; Engineer Md. Matiur Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Technical Teachers and Employees Council; Adviser Mahbubur Rahman; Organizing Secretary Md. Rashed Mosharraf; Ashrafuzzaman Hanif, Member Secretary of the MPO-listed Teachers` Council; Nurul Islam Siam, Joint Secretary General of the Bangladesh Vocational Teachers Association; and leaders of several other teachers` organizations.

The leaders concluded by warning that unless the government takes immediate and effective steps to implement the 10-point demands, technical teachers and employees across the country will be compelled to announce a nationwide protest movement.