No obstacles to hiring head teachers in 32,000 primary schools.

Photo: Collected

​News Desk: There are no longer any legal obstacles to appointing headmasters in approximately 32,000 government primary schools across the country, which had been vacant for a long time due to legal complexities. On Thursday (July 2), the Appellate Division, led by the Chief Justice, delivered this verdict.

​Attorney General Barrister Md. Ruhul Quddus Kazal represented the state in court.

​Following the verdict, Ruhul Quddus Kazal said, "In 2013, the government nationalized 26,000 private primary schools. At that time, the government enacted a law stating that everyone from the nationalized schools could join [the government service]. However, everyone, including the former headmasters, would join as assistant teachers. This meant that even though they had previously served as headmasters, according to the law, they all joined as assistant teachers. They accepted it at the time. However, a provision in that law stated that those who were directly recruited would rank higher in seniority."

​He further added, "On the other hand, those who came from the nationalized private schools would rank below them. Regarding their previous service duration, only 50% of their tenure would be counted for pension and gratuity purposes. They [the teachers] objected, arguing, 'No, we were headmasters before. We should be headmasters now. Why should only 50% of our seniority be counted?' They also demanded that even if 50% was counted, it should apply to their promotions as well. Consequently, they filed a writ petition in the High Court. Considering all aspects, the High Court scrapped the law that had pushed them back in seniority. The government then appealed against this High Court verdict. Today, the Appellate Division overturned the High Court's ruling. As a result, the government can now appoint headmasters in around 32,000 primary schools."

​Regarding how the number increased from 26,000 to 32,000, the Attorney General explained, "Many teachers in government primary schools have retired, and no appointments were made to those positions. Compounding with those vacancies from 2013 to the present day, the initial number has increased by another 6,000, bringing the total to nearly 32,000. These are all government primary schools.