More than a third of government primary schools in Munshiganj are operating without head teachers, affecting 1,47,578 students and raising concerns over the quality of education.
Out of 610 schools across six upazilas, 226 currently have no head teacher, forcing many institutions to rely on acting heads for nearly five years, according to the District Primary Education Office.
The shortage has disrupted both academic and administrative functions, officials and education stakeholders said, with supervision, lesson planning and parent-teacher coordination weakening over time.
Data shows the highest number of vacancies in Munshiganj Sadar, where 51 out of 115 schools lack head teachers. The figures stand at 29 out of 92 in Tongibari, 40 out of 128 in Sirajdikhan, 31 out of 76 in Louhajang, 40 out of 112 in Srinagar, and 35 out of 87 in Gazaria.
In total, 384 head teachers are currently in place across the district.
Guardians said students are struggling as teachers are often required to handle multiple classes at once, affecting learning outcomes.
Teachers managing schools without permanent heads said they are balancing administrative duties alongside teaching, increasing workload and limiting classroom focus.
Education experts warned that delays in recruitment could further erode standards in primary education, as head teachers play a central role in both instruction and institutional management.
They also pointed to legal disputes and procedural delays as key obstacles slowing the appointment process.
Munshiganj District Primary Education Officer Md Nazrul Islam said the absence of head teachers is affecting classroom teaching in several schools.
He said proposals to fill the vacant posts have been submitted repeatedly, but recruitment has been delayed due to a case pending in the High Court.
Efforts are under way to resolve the issue and appoint head teachers to the vacant positions, he added.
