Primary school head teachers to get 10th grade, assist teachers 12th grade

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has initiated a plan to raise the salary grades of government primary school teachers by one level. 

If implemented, head teachers will be upgraded to the 10th grade, and assistant teachers to the 12th grade.

The decision aligns with recommendations from the 'Consultative Committee for Improving the Quality of Primary and Non-Formal Education,' chaired by BRAC University Emeritus Professor Manjur Ahmed, and a High Court verdict. 

The ministry has directed the Directorate of Primary Education to submit a proposal to adjust the salary scales within the Directorate’s manpower structure, as outlined in a recent letter.

The advisory committee’s February report, which included over 100 recommendations to enhance primary education, proposed abolishing the 'assistant teacher' post and renaming the starting position as 'teacher' with a 12th-grade salary (starting at Tk 11,300, plus benefits). 

After two years, the position would become permanent, and after another two years, teachers would be promoted to 'senior teachers' at the 11th grade. The committee also recommended elevating head teachers to the 10th grade, a change echoed by the High Court ruling.

Ministry officials noted that the Directorate of Primary Education must submit a formal proposal, which will then be forwarded to the Ministry of Public Administration for further action. 

Currently, the Directorate oversees about 450,000 teachers across more than 65,000 government primary schools, with head teachers at the 11th grade and assistant teachers at the 13th grade.