Widespread dissatisfaction among teachers across Bangladesh is seriously hampering the country’s education system, experts warn, as educators from public and semi-government schools to private institutions struggle with low salaries, inadequate facilities, and limited career progression.
The discontent, evident from primary schools to universities, comes as the nation observes World Teachers’ Day on Sunday, marked by UNESCO under the theme “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession”.
“Most teachers in schools, colleges, madrasahs, and universities are extremely dissatisfied with their salaries, allowances, dignity, and facilities. Often, they are forced to protest on campus instead of focusing on academic work,” said sources familiar with the matter.
Experts emphasise that such dissatisfaction threatens efforts to build a skilled and educated nation, noting that education is the backbone of national development. Despite longstanding calls for a separate pay scale for teachers, no government has yet implemented it.
University and secondary school teachers struggling
Professor Siddiqur Rahman, former director of the Institute of Education and Research at the University of Dhaka, told the media, “In universities, there are fewer issues regarding dignity and financial benefits, but the salaries of teachers in secondary and primary schools are very low. To attract qualified graduates to the teaching profession, facilities and benefits must be increased. The idea of a separate pay structure for teachers has been discussed, but it remains limited to speeches.”
According to 2023 data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS), Bangladesh has 626,042 primary-level teachers, 278,518 secondary-level teachers, 134,485 college teachers, 118,280 madrassah teachers, 19,909 technical and vocational education institution teachers, and 32,917 university teachers. Excluding primary schools, the total number of teachers is 646,039.
University teachers are also facing obstacles in conducting research due to insufficient funding and support. Salary-related protests have occurred repeatedly, including a month-long disruption last year over pension issues and earlier demonstrations in 2015.
A professor at Dhaka University, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We receive far fewer benefits compared to government officers. Many of our teachers have opportunities to teach abroad with higher salaries, yet we continue teaching in the country. However, there are many limitations.”
Promotion delays and inequalities
Education cadre officers in government colleges report long delays in promotion. Lecturers recruited through the 33rd BCS have remained in the same position for nearly 12 years.
A 41st BCS officer working in a government college said, “The education cadre is facing discrimination compared to other cadres. Officers of the administration cadre receive sixth-grade pay after five years, but no one from the education cadre does. We do not know on what basis this discrimination is being carried out. Talented graduates are turning away due to these deprivations.”
Housing, transfers, and allowances
Secondary-level teachers in MPO-enlisted schools, colleges, madrasahs, and technical institutions have expressed mounting dissatisfaction over housing, transfers, and low allowances. Teacher leaders have announced major movements in Dhaka this October to press for their demands, including a 20% increase in house rent allowance.
“Bangladesh is the only country where teachers must struggle on the streets and in courts for years just to secure their fair dues and rightful entitlements,” said Habibur Rahman, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Secondary Assistant Teachers’ Association.
Another teacher added, “The teaching profession is the most neglected compared to other countries. With such poor income, it is extremely difficult to live with dignity.”
Private institution teachers also face delays in receiving retirement benefits. Fund shortages mean applications remain unsettled for years, leaving teachers without financial relief after years of service.
Primary school teachers plan hunger strike
Primary school assistant teachers have staged several demonstrations nationwide this year. Their three-point demand includes fixing the entry-level salary at grade 11, removing obstacles to higher-grade promotions after 10 and 16 years, and 100% promotion to head teacher.
Research reports have long recommended increasing primary teachers’ salaries to attract skilled graduates. A 2010 study, “Primary Education in Bangladesh: Importance and Challenges”, recommended that “salary, pension, and gratuity of teachers should be increased, and a standard and equal salary structure should be imposed for both government and non-government primary school teachers.”
In October 2024, the interim government formed the Primary and Non-Formal Education Consultation Committee (PNFECC) to improve the sector. Its February 2025 report included over a hundred recommendations covering salaries, entry grades, promotions, and teacher vacancies, but most remain unimplemented.
Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud, president of the Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, said, “Due to low salaries, primary teachers face huge problems maintaining daily life. The social status of primary teachers is more vulnerable than others. Female teachers are harassed both on school campuses and at workstations. We have raised these issues repeatedly, but authorities have not acted. How can dignity improve under financial hardship?”
The ongoing dissatisfaction among teachers threatens both the quality of education and the professional respect of those shaping the nation’s future.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
