Education Minister tells Parliament that 60,295 posts remain vacant in MPO-listed schools and colleges

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon told Parliament that a total of 60,295 teaching positions remain vacant in MPO-listed schools and colleges nationwide.

He revealed the figures on Wednesday (8 April) while responding to a question from NCP MP Hasnat Abdullah during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister said there are 656 vacant lecturer posts under the BCS (General Education) cadre in government colleges, along with 2,410 vacant non-cadre lecturer positions in recently nationalised colleges. Additionally, MPO-listed colleges have 1,349 vacant principal and vice-principal posts, while recruitment is ongoing for 1,344 teaching positions.

He noted that the government has taken several steps to expedite recruitment. Lecturer appointments in government colleges are being processed through the 45th, 46th, 47th, 49th, and 50th BCS examinations. For MPO-listed institutions, recruitment is continuing through the NTRCA based on transparency and merit. Applications have also been invited to fill 11,151 vacant head and assistant head posts.

Responding to a query from ruling party MP Selim Bhuiyan, the minister said the nationalisation of private colleges follows directives from the Prime Minister. After nationalisation, teachers’ and staff members’ employment conditions are reviewed and regularised under existing rules.

He added that bringing private institution staff under government employment is a long-term policy issue, dependent on financial capacity, existing policies, and budget considerations—not solely on the Ministry of Education.

According to the minister, the country has 34,129 private educational institutions employing 598,994 teachers and 206,699 staff. Steps may be taken to nationalise their jobs if a policy decision is made.

In response to a question from MP Shafiqul Rahman Kiron, he said the government prioritises equality, inclusion, and quality in education. MPO inclusion and institutional development are based on policy criteria, not political affiliation. Plans are in place to gradually bring eligible institutions under MPO coverage. Proposed initiatives include infrastructure development for 12 schools and 8 colleges per constituency, and construction of one school, one college, and one madrasa/technical institution annually per constituency.

Replying to MP Zainal Abedin, the minister said 2,839 villages across the country still lack primary schools, including 717 in Dhaka, 818 in Chattogram, 355 in Rajshahi, 37 in Rangpur, 349 in Khulna, 45 in Barishal, 260 in Sylhet, and 266 in Mymensingh.

Answering another question from Jamaat MP Gazi Enamul Haque, he said 4,059 out of 24,320 institutions under the Secondary and Higher Education Division still do not have government-funded buildings, and development projects are underway.

In response to MP SM Jahangir Hossain, the minister said strict measures are being taken to curb drug activities in and around Dhaka University. Law enforcement agencies are maintaining surveillance and conducting regular drives. He noted that Suhrawardy Udyan, though under a different ministry, is adjacent to the campus and can impact it.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling drug abuse through continued monitoring and legal action.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain told Parliament, in response to MP Shawkatul Islam, that 71,591 voluntary social welfare organisations have been registered under the Department of Social Services. Of these, 60,286 are active and 11,305 have been dissolved. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, 4,221 organisations received grants totaling Tk110 million.