'Welfare trust now in a dignified position'

Once, teachers and employees of non-government educational institutions (listed under the MPO scheme) in Bangladesh went to retirement empty-handed. There was no pension system for them. They got solace by only receiving prayer mats, tupis, umbrellas and tasbihs as gift from their respective institutions. But the scenario has changed. Non-government teachers and employees now get a handsome amount of money when they retire.

Non-government Teachers and Employees Welfare Trust (NGTEWT) was established in 1990, with a view to providing financial assistance to non-government teachers and employees, Immediately after the inception, NGTEWT stumbled and its operations were stopped due to different reasons. But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina revived the welfare trust in 1997 honoring teachers' demand.

When the welfare trust was struggling to survive due to fund constraints, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina entrusted her affectionate dedicated student leader Principal Shahjahan Alam Shaju with the responsibility of running the institution. Principal Shaju met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and highlighted the problems of the welfare trust and pension board to her.  As a result, a staggering amount of Tk  1700 crore was allocated to revive the two institutions.

After taking charge as secretary of the  welfare trust, Principal Shaju took initiatives to overhaul the institution by removing irregularities and ensuring accountability. He along with board members met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and made arrangements of the launching online application and money payment system by the premier.
Principal Shahjahan Alam Shaju has put the welfare trust in a dignified position.

To mention, 98 percent educational  institutions at secondary and higher-secondary level in Bangladesh are run under non-government management and only 2 percent by the government. The number of schools, colleges, madrasas and technical institutions under MP scheme across the country is now over 30,000. More than five lakh teachers and employees work in these institutions.