The government has decided to increase the house rent allowance for MPO-listed teachers by 15% of their basic salary.
According to an official at the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, the Finance Division has given its consent, making it now a formal government decision. Of the total rise, 7.5% will take effect from 1 November, while the remaining 7.5% will be implemented from July next year.
The decision was reached during a meeting between representatives of the protesting teachers and the Education Adviser. The Finance Ministry is expected to issue a circular soon in this regard.
However, no decision was made on the demands concerning medical or festival allowances.
Teachers under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme have been demonstrating since 12 October at the National Press Club, demanding a rise in house rent, medical allowance, and festival bonus. Police dispersed them that evening, after which they continued their sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar for the tenth consecutive day.
On Friday, they began a hunger strike following the sit-in.
Earlier, on Sunday, the Finance Ministry sent a letter to the Education Ministry agreeing to rise the house rent by either 5% of the basic salary or at least Tk 2,000.
Following that, the Education Adviser urged the teachers to return to classrooms considering the overall situation, but the teachers rejected the appeal. Teachers will return to classroom from Wednesday.
Education adviser’s statement
“This path was not easy. There were various disagreements, debates, and allegations. Without responding to any debate, the Ministry of Education persistently worked towards a fair and sustainable solution. Working behind the scenes, the education Adviser and the Ministry tirelessly collaborated with various ministries, the advisory council, and the Honorable Chief Adviser to ensure the teachers’ demands were heard and understood.
“The Ministry believes this is not the victory of any single entity. It is a collective success: The teachers’ movement made us understand the reality, the government responded responsibly, and together, we have reached a point today where respect, dialogue, and compromise have won. Now is the time to return to the classrooms, to our students, to our real workplace. Let today’s compromise mark a new beginning, pledging mutual respect, understanding, and a commitment to establishing education on a strong foundation. By fostering mutual respect and spreading quality education, we can take Bangladesh to a dignified position.”
