Former education adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud announced on Wednesday that festival allowances, entertainment allowances, house rent, and other benefits for MPO-listed teachers will be increased in the upcoming budget.
Speaking at a programme marking the joining of newly appointed Education Adviser CR Abrar at the Education Ministry’s conference room, Wahiduddin said efforts are underway to address the long-standing issues faced by MPO teachers.
"I assured everyone that we will try to meet the demands as much as possible in the next budget after discussions with the Finance Ministry. However, addressing 15 to 20 years of deprivation cannot be accomplished within just one or two years," he said.
He further mentioned that festival allowances, entertainment allowances, house rent, and medical allowances will be increased from this year’s Eid-ul-Azha, with additional improvements in next year’s budget. "I know that provisions are being made in both this year’s and next year’s budgets," he added.
Addressing the demand for private teachers’ salaries to be made equal to government salaries, Wahiduddin acknowledged the issue but emphasized that it is a gradual process. "A one-year budget cannot fix a 15-year disparity, but we need to start somewhere. This is the beginning we are making," he stated.
He also highlighted the creation of a fund for teachers’ retirement and welfare allowances, which has been partially established this year and will be expanded in the coming budgets. "To ensure sustainability, the entire fund will be fully implemented over the next three to four budgets," he explained.
Wahiduddin further alleged that money from the retirement and welfare fund had been kept in a bank that is now financially unstable, with some funds being misallocated elsewhere.
He stressed that welfare and retirement allowances for private MPO teachers are among their most legitimate demands. "However, they are not united and have never taken to the streets to press for their demands. Despite that, I believe this should be addressed first," he concluded.
