HC issues rule over raising entry-level govt high school teachers' post to grade 9

The High Court (HC) on Tuesday issued a rule upon the concerned bodies of the government to explain why they should not be directed to upgrade the entry-level post of assistant teacher of government high schools to grade-IX of the National Pay Scale with all consequential service benefits, legal entitlements and promotion opportunities.

In the rule the High Court also wanted to know from the respondents as to why the government should not be directed to establish a four-tier or an appropriate academic promotional structure for the assistant teachers of the government high schools, ensuring parity with the government colleges.

Education Secretary, Cabinet Secretary, Finance Secretary, Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DHSE) and other respondents have been asked to comply with the rule within four weeks. 

The High Court bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by 15 assistant teachers of different government high schools across the country, including Muhammad Gias Uddin Faruq of Nasirabad Government High School at Chattorgram.

Barrister Md Shofiqul Islam, who appeared in the court hearing on behalf of the writ petitioners, told The Financial Express that assistant teachers of government high schools have become victims of discrimination despite requiring the same educational qualifications as BCS cadres, who receive Grade-IX at the entry level.

According to the petition, despite repeated recommendations of different committees and repeated administrative assurances, the government bodies concerned have persistently failed to upgrade the petitioners' entry post to grade-IX. 

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