MPO-listed teachers will soon be brought under a new national pay scale, announced Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan.

Why it matters: This announcement, aimed at eliminating long-standing discrimination and bringing MPO-listed teachers under the same pay scale as government teachers, could bring a major positive change to the country’s education sector.

The big picture: At the closing ceremony of the orientation course for the 45th BCS General Education Cadre officers, the minister stated that the government has received the highest budget for the education sector this year and is committed to bridging the financial gap for teachers. He clarified that there will be no division between government and MPO-listed teachers in the overall development of education.

Between the lines: The Education Minister has placed special emphasis on improving the quality of education and research to meet global challenges. Strongly criticizing plagiarism in research, he said that the country’s education system must be advanced through internationally recognized researchers.

What’s next: In addition to implementing the new pay scale, the minister has called on teachers to engage in higher education and PhD research. Furthermore, he advised new officers to acquire skills in the proper use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

The bottom line: The government is planning a special event for the 347 Bangladeshi scientists who were featured in the Stanford University list. The Ministry of Education has set a goal to survive in future global competition by maintaining research standards and preventing the misuse of technology.

The Education Minister expressed his commitment to working towards fulfilling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s aspirations by prioritizing the quality of education and research. He believes that creativity and research will be the foundation of the future education system.

Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Dal staged a protest at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday, condemning the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Manch. The demonstration began around 5:30 pm when protesters marched from the Central Shaheed Minar to the hospital, where Hadi is currently receiving treatment.

Chhatra Dal’s central president, Rakibul Islam Rakib, and secretary, Nasir Uddin Nasir, were present at the protest. The demonstrators chanted slogans demanding immediate arrest of those responsible, including “Why was Hadi shot? Interim answer now” and “Direct action.”

Earlier in the afternoon, armed assailants shot Hadi in the Bijoynagar culvert area. He was rescued and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Following the attack, additional police and security personnel were deployed around the hospital. Authorities are working to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the shooting

In Noakhali’s Hatiya upazila, the annual exams of more than four hundred students at Charkailash Government Primary School are being conducted by the headteacher alone, due to an ongoing work stoppage by assistant teachers. On 2 December, the assistant teachers were seen staying inside the office room while headteacher Monowara Hoque managed the examinations single-handedly.

Handling five classes at once has resulted in significant disorder during the exams. With no monitoring in several rooms, students were observed talking openly, copying from notebooks, and moving about freely. Concerned parents expressed frustration, saying that exam standards are being severely compromised and students’ academic futures are at risk.

Assistant teachers said they are observing the nationwide work stoppage to press for three demands, including 11th grade status and promotion. They warned of tougher programmes if their demands remain unmet.

Headteacher Monowara Hoque stated that while she respects the teachers’ movement, she is conducting the exams based on instructions from the DPEO, ADPEO and ATEO. She added that she is receiving support from former students to continue the examinations so that children do not fall behind.

Upazila Primary Education Officer Abdul Jabbar said that exams are being conducted in 79 out of Hatiya’s 227 schools. He added that further decisions regarding the remaining schools will be taken by the authorities.