<i>Fateha torn between passion for teaching and deprivation</i>
Fateha Nurani has continued teaching at AN Sammiloni Girls' High School in Magura town for the last 15 years, although she has not got any salary during the period. Photo: STAR
World Teachers Day being observed today holds very little meaning to Fateha Nurani, a teacher of AN Sammiloni Girls' High School in the town, as she has not got any salary even after 15 years of service at the institution. Fateha, who joined as an assistant teacher for the senior section (classes IX and X) of the school at Niznanduali village under Magura municipality in 1997, is still outside the payroll as the section has remained outside the government's monthly payment order (MPO). "Now I feel embarrassed to introduce myself as a teacher as I have not got any salary during my 15 years' service. But I cannot resist the urge to attend classes when the school bell rings. The school is adjacent to my house and I have developed a deep passion for teaching," Fateha told this correspondent on Wednesday. However, in recognition to her selfless service and outstanding performance in educating young learners, Rural Development Concern, a voluntary organisation for the welfare of women and children, accorded her a reception at a programme marking World Rural Women's Day on October 17 last year. AN Sammiloni Girls' High School was established in 1995 and subsequently its junior section (classes VI to VIII) was listed for MPO. The school has now over three hundred students but its senior section has remained outside the MPO although 14 schools and madrasas in four upazilas of the district got MPO in the financial year 2009-10. Besides Fateha, two other teachers of the school -- Khan Rakibul Haque and Beloara Khanam are also in the same boat for the last 14 years. When asked, District Education Officer Ruhul Amin Khondoker said, “The ministry concerned is the lone authority to sanction MPO on the basis of local lawmaker's recommendation.” Contacted over cell phone, lawmaker of Magura-1 constituency Prof Mohammad Serajul Akbar said, "I had given demand order (D/O) letter for the MPO listing of the senior section of AN Samilony Girls High School, but the D/O was not honoured by the ministry. Earlier the junior section of the school got MPO following my recommendation." Rizia Begum, headmistress of the school, said, "In spite of her financial deprivation, Fateha always teaches the students with a smiling face, giving an impression of a dedicated teacher. But I have nothing to do regarding her salary as the senior section is still struggling to get MPO."
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