Education is the backbone of a nation, and teaching is a noble vocation. While this truth is often proclaimed, the state’s policies and attitudes toward teachers frequently come under question. Particularly in the case of non-government MPO-enlisted teachers, several disparities exist, one of the most pressing being the method of determining seniority. At present, the seniority of MPO-enlisted teachers is calculated from the date of MPO enlistment, not from the date of joining their institutions. As a result, a teacher who has served for many years in an institution but received MPO enlistment later is considered junior to someone who joined later but was enlisted earlier. Consider this example: a teacher, duly appointed under government rules in 2010, has been teaching with dedication ever since. Due to certain complexities, however, his position did not receive MPO enlistment. Another teacher was appointed in 2015 and, in the same year, came under MPO coverage. Later, the teacher appointed in 2010 was brought under MPO in 2019. According to the current rules, the teacher who joined in 2015 is considered senior to the teacher who joined in 2010, solely because of the earlier MPO enlistment. This is clearly unjust and discriminatory. In Bangladesh, there are nearly 30,000 MPO-enlisted educational institutions (schools, colleges, and madrasahs). In these private institutions, teachers’ and employees’ seniority is determined not from their date of joining but from their date of MPO enlistment. Every teacher and employee has a joining date, and a separate MPO enlistment date when they begin receiving MPO benefits. It is the latter date that currently determines seniority. Such a rule does not apply to any other profession. In all other jobs, seniority and length of service are counted from the date of joining. Only in the case of private educational institutions does this discriminatory system of calculating service length and seniority from MPO enlistment exist. According to clause 13 of the Manpower Structure and MPO Policy 2021, the calculation of service length and seniority of MPO-enlisted teachers and employees is as follows: “Seniority and experience of teachers and employees will be counted from the date of their first MPO enlistment in the respective position. If MPO enlistment takes place on the same date, seniority will be determined by the date of joining the institution. However, if any teacher’s appointment is regularized, the date of regularization shall be considered as the date of joining. If the date of joining is the same, seniority will be determined based on the date of birth. If the date of birth is also the same, academic examination results will be used to determine seniority. Here, academic results refer to the SSC/equivalent and higher public examinations.” Teachers and employees of MPO-enlisted institutions have long been demanding the cancellation of this provision in clause 13 and calling for seniority and experience to be determined from the date of joining—similar to government employees. Eminent lawyers and concerned citizens also view the current system as discriminatory. They argue that such a policy directly violates Articles 27 and 29 of the Constitution of Bangladesh. To improve the quality of education and maintain a conducive teaching environment, a teacher’s experience and contributions should be valued from the very day they start their career. Ignoring the date of joining undermines teachers’ dignity, creates frustration, and fosters discrimination. Overlooking the long-standing service of dedicated teachers inevitably leads to unrest and disorder in the workplace. Therefore, it is urgent to revise the current MPO policy, abolish discrimination in seniority determination, and frame a new policy where seniority and experience of MPO-enlisted teachers and employees are determined from the date of appointment/joining—just as in government service. This is crucial for the enhancement of education and the dignity of teachers. Nearly 97% of the country’s education is carried out by MPO-enlisted teachers. Thus, if we are to improve the quality of education and elevate the teaching profession to a position of respect, we must address issues such as teacher recruitment and promotion, duties and rights, training, job security, disciplinary measures, professional freedom, monitoring and evaluation, participation in policymaking, effective teaching and learning environments, as well as financial and social security—eliminating all forms of discrimination in the process. Teachers are the architects of the nation. Even the slightest injustice against them damages the education system. Therefore, the seniority and experience of MPO-enlisted teachers must be counted from the date of joining. This is not merely their rightful claim—it is essential for the overall development of the education system and the creation of a just society. The concerned authorities must take immediate steps to resolve this issue.

Dulal Mia
Author: College Teacher & Columnist.