More than half of the government primary schools in Dinajpur district are operating without head teachers. Out of 1,869 primary schools, 938 have vacant head teacher positions.
The prolonged suspension of promotions and new appointments has created this situation, severely affecting both administrative discipline and the quality of education in these schools. According to the District Primary Education Office, all 13 upazilas in Dinajpur have vacant head teacher posts, with some areas facing particularly alarming shortages. For instance, in Chirirbandar, 115 out of 199 schools lack head teachers; in Birganj, 118 out of 230; and in Parbatipur, 105 out of 206. Even Dinajpur Sadar has 54 out of 186 schools without head teachers.
The office said head teacher posts are usually filled through a policy of 65% promotion and 35% direct recruitment.
However, promotions have been blocked since 2009 due to a court injunction, and new recruitment has been stalled for a long time. As a result, many head teachers have retired, and assistant teachers’ promotions are frozen. Teachers and parents have expressed concern over administrative complications and declining educational standards.
Md Matiar Rahman, secretary of the Dinajpur branch of the Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association, said frustration is rising among assistant teachers who have worked for 20–25 years without promotion. The recent recruitment notice has further deepened their disappointment. They are demanding that all vacancies be filled through seniority-based promotions.
In many schools, senior assistant teachers are serving as acting head teachers. However, other teachers do not always follow their guidance, causing disruption in administration and teaching, according to Md Golam Faruk, acting head teacher of North Gobindapur Government Primary School in Sadar Upazila.
Md Zakir Hossain, head teacher of Pulhat Government Primary School, said that important classes, such as fifth-grade scholarship exams, are being affected due to the absence of head teachers. ATM Tofail Hossain, president of Sadar Upazila Primary Teachers’ Association, echoed the concern. A parent, Liza Akter, also said that the lack of head teachers and insufficient staff is creating difficulties in school management, urging immediate action.
Md. Saifuzzaman, Dinajpur District Assistant Primary Education Officer, said promotions cannot take place nationwide until the court case is resolved, but he hopes the vacancies will be quickly filled through promotions once the legal issue is cleared. Meanwhile, the district office continues efforts to maintain education quality.
Stakeholders warn that unless the problem is resolved quickly, Dinajpur’s primary education system could face a major crisis. They emphasize the urgent need for legal resolution and immediate appointment and promotion of head teachers.
