New guidelines announced for primary teacher recruitment; women’s quota removed

The government has introduced new rules for recruiting teachers in government primary schools, abolishing the previous quota system, including the women’s quota.

According to the revised regulations, only seven percent of positions will now be reserved under quota provisions, with the remaining 93 percent to be filled on the basis of merit.

The new rules also create separate posts for music and physical education teachers. Additionally, 20 percent of assistant teacher positions will be earmarked for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in science, while the remaining 80 percent will be open to graduates from other disciplines. A gazette notification was issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, signed by Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana on behalf of the President.

Under the 2019 rules, 60 percent of assistant teacher posts were reserved for women, 20 percent for dependents of officials, and 20 percent for men. The newly approved “Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment Rules, 2025” removes those provisions and introduces recruitment through both direct appointment and promotion.

A special clause stipulates that, regardless of other regulations or government orders, teacher recruitment will be conducted at the upazila level and, in certain cases, at the police station level.

Of the seven percent quota, five percent will go to children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters, and Birangonas, one percent to candidates from small ethnic groups, and one percent to persons with disabilities and third-gender candidates. If suitable candidates are not available for quota positions, the posts will be filled on merit.

The new rules take effect immediately, replacing the “Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment Rules, 2019.”