No primary schools in 2,839 villages

Primary and Mass Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon yesterday told parliament that 2,839 villages across the country do not have any primary schools.

The minister presented the data responding to a question from BNP lawmaker Zainal Abdin.

According to the minister, the number of villages without primary schools stands at 717 in Dhaka Division, 818 in Chattogram Division, 355 in Rajshahi Division, 37 in Rangpur Division, 341 in Khulna Division, 45 in Barishal Division, 260 in Sylhet Division and 266 in Mymensingh Division.

Based on the data, a total of 2,76,516 children aged between 4 and 10 years, the primary school-going age, live in these villages.

The education minister also said 60,295 teaching positions remain vacant in schools and colleges under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme.

Responding to a query from National Citizen Party MP Hasnat Abdullah, the minister said recruitment in MPO-listed institutions is ongoing through the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority in a transparent and merit-based process.

He added that applications have been invited to fill 11,151 vacant posts of principals and assistant principals in MPO-listed institutions.

The minister said government colleges have 656 vacant lecturer posts under the BCS (General Education) cadre, while newly nationalised colleges have 2,410 vacant non-cadre lecturer positions.

To address the gaps, recruitment is underway through the 45th, 46th, 47th, 49th and 50th BCS examinations, he added.

Replying to BNP MP Selim Bhuiyan, the minister said there are 34,129 non-government educational institutions in the country, employing 5,98,994 teachers and 2,06,699 staff members.

He noted that the government may take steps to nationalise the jobs of teachers and staff in private institutions if a policy decision is made.

Answering another question from MP Abdul Alim, the minister said the government plans to bring all Ebtedayee madrasas under MPO facilities in phases, subject to meeting the required criteria.