Dhaka:State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam stated that the nationalization of private educational institutions in Bangladesh is inevitable to improve the status and standard of living for teachers and employees.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the State Minister highlighted that the history of Bangladesh has seen improvements in teachers' salaries, allowances, pensions, and social status under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. He expressed hope that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would continue this legacy by realizing the demand for nationalization.
During a conference organized by the 'Shikkhok-Kormochari Oikya Jote' at the Institution of Engineers, Shahe Alam also announced a new initiative to provide financial grants for installing 5.5-kilowatt solar power panels on the rooftops of educational institutions. This initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted electricity and allow institutions to earn additional income by selling surplus electricity to the national grid.
Shahe Alam emphasized the universal social status of teachers, describing them as the primary driving force of society and messengers of democracy. He urged resistance against propaganda that undermines teachers' dignity.
He also noted that, despite financial constraints, the government has established a Taka 2,000 crore fund for retirement benefits for approximately 100,000 teachers retiring between 2022 and 2026. He advised the teaching community to organize a large-scale national rally to advocate for nationalization, assuring them of the government's recognition of their demands.
Addressing the issue of teachers participating in local government elections, Shahe Alam clarified that there are no legal barriers to their participation as long as educational institutions remain un-nationalized.
The conference was attended by Member of Parliament and teacher leader Principal Md. Selim Bhuiyan, Secretary General of the Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance Chowdhury Mugis Uddin Mahmud, and Secretary General of the Bangladesh Teachers' Association Md. Zakir Hossain. BNP Acting Secretary General and Adviser to the Prime Minister Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was scheduled to be the chief guest.