Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said the government has begun clearing arrears in retirement benefits and welfare allowances for more than 70,000 teachers.
The move follows a directive from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Minister made the remarks on Saturday while inaugurating the distribution of funds under the Retirement Benefits and Welfare Trust for private teachers and employees at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
“On this special day, our Desh Mata, Khaleda Zia, was born. And on this auspicious day, we are going to wipe away the tears of thousands of teachers who have been waiting for years for their overdue benefits,” Milon said.
He said around Tk2,100 crore has been allocated under the guidance of Tarique Rahman to provide the benefits to a large number of teachers and employees across the country.
Citing figures, the minister said retirement benefits for 70,019 teachers and welfare benefits for 53,000 teachers are being transferred directly to their accounts simultaneously across the country.
“Today’s initiative will remain an important chapter in the administrative history of the education sector,” he said.
Referring to the government’s achievements during its first 180 days, Milon said the Education Ministry has taken several significant initiatives during the period.
“Because of the limited time available, some plans could not be fully implemented. Those will be carried out gradually in the days ahead,” he said.
Senior officials of the Private Teachers and Employees Welfare Trust and the Retirement Benefits Board, educationists and teacher representatives from across the country attended the programme.
