Govt supports teachers' legitimate demands within capacity: Mahdi Amin

Prime Minister's Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education Ministry Mahdi Amin today (7 October) said the government is sincere to fulfill every legitimate demand of the teachers taking into account the government's capacity and necessary policies will be formulated and implemented promptly in this regard.

He made the remarks while addressing a teachers' rally organized by the 'Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance' at the Institution of Engineers auditorium here.

BNP Acting Secretary General and Prime Minister's Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi attended the event as the chief guest.

Mahdi Amin noted that due to the corruption and plunder under the previous fascist government, the benefits and retirement allowances of the teachers had remained unpaid for a long time, however, within just six months of assuming office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arranged funds amounting to Taka 2,000 crore and initiated the roadmap and process for their payment. In this vein, the government will continue to accord the highest priority to the overall welfare and interests of the teaching community in the days ahead.

Announcing measures for the professional dignity and modernization of teachers, he mentioned that while only 12 teachers used to receive honors on the World Teachers' Day in the past, the present government has raised that number to over a hundred. Special initiatives will be taken to ensure appropriate social and administrative recognition for the teachers who despite enduring persecution during the previous fascist regime- inspired the students in their movements and aspirations for freedom.

Furthermore, the 'One Teacher, One Tab' program is being launched to make the teachers tech-savvy and skilled. Concrete plans have also been adopted for the international teacher exchange programs, higher education opportunities, world-class training and strengthening industry-academia linkages. Recalling their historic contributions, Mahdi Amin stated that teachers have stood as a shield for democracy at every critical juncture including the Liberation War, the anti-autocracy movement of the 1990s, the street struggles of the last 16 years and the July mass uprising.

He noted those groundbreaking initiatives such as the modernization of primary, secondary, higher and Madrasa education systems, the introduction of the MPO scheme, the formation of the NTRCA and the establishment of the Retirement Benefit Board and Welfare Trust were launched by the BNP during the tenures of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Representatives of teachers and employees from various parts of the country participated in the rally, which was presided over by Principal Selim Bhuiyan, President of the Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance.

Among others, BNP Central Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Assistant Finance Secretary Mahmudur Rahman Sumon, JASAS Convener and film actor Helal Khan and Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance Secretary General Chowdhury Mugis Uddin Mahmud, addressed the rally.