Primary school head teachers upgraded to 10th grade

Head teachers at government primary schools will now receive 10th-grade pay, following a revision that unifies the scale for trained and untrained teachers.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education said the government has approved upgrading the pay scale of 65,502 head teachers from the existing 11th [trained] and 12th [untrained] grades to the 10th grade.

"This fulfils a long-standing expectation of primary school head teachers. The initiative will ensure their financial security and strengthen their social status. As a result, they will be more creative and inspired in contributing to the improvement of primary education.

"This will ensure a more advanced and dynamic learning environment for students at the primary level," the statement read.

The ministry said the move reflects the government's commitment and respect towards primary teachers. It is expected to have a positive impact on the overall development of the primary education system, reports bdnews24.com.

"The government expects that head teachers, in collaboration with other teachers, parents, and stakeholders at all levels, will help raise the quality of primary education to the desired standard," it added.

Earlier, on Mar 13 this year, the Supreme Court's Appellate Division ruled that head teachers of government primary schools will be given the status of second-class gazetted officers in the 10th grade.

A four-judge appellate bench headed by Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed made the ruling after disposing of a review petition by the ministry.

On Mar 9, 2014, the government upgraded the status of government primary school head teachers to second-class.

The ministry issued a notification on the same day but later set 11th grade for trained and 12th grade for non-trained head teachers.

Bangladesh Government Primary School Head Teachers' Association and other such organisations have been protesting against the decision.

On Mar 3, 2024, Riaz Parvez, the association's president, along with 44 other teachers, filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging the dual-grade decision.

On Feb 26, 2019, a High Court bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Khizir Ahmed Choudhury issued an order granting 10th grade salary for head teachers.

The order directed the government to pay both trained and untrained head teachers from Mar 9, 2014.

After the final hearing of the government's appeal, the full bench of the Appellate Division, headed by the then chief justice, dismissed the appeal and delivered its verdict on Jan 6, 2022.

When the verdict was not implemented within the required three months, the head teachers filed a contempt petition.

In June that year, the High Court issued a show cause notice, asking the defendants why they should not face disciplinary action for failing to execute the court's order.