Newly-recruited pry teachers still unpaid

As the coronavirus outbreak unfolds, most of the 18,000 newly-recruited government primary teachers are yet to get salaries for March, and are uncertain whether they will receive the salary for the current month as all public offices are closed till April 25.

The teachers, who joined primary schools in the later part of February and early March, are still not entitled to get salaries as the amount is to be fixed by upazila primary education office. It would then require subsequent approval from the concerned Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh (CAG) office. Both steps are yet to be completed for most.

Without this process these teachers -- who are also government officials, will not be able to enrol into an online system, styled Integrated Budget and Accounting system (IBAS++), for getting salaries, said Primary and Mass Education Ministry officials.

"We are yet to get salaries although we are passing very difficult days amid this virus outbreak," said a newly recruited teacher at a school in Brahmanbaria district. He said work of his salary fixation was completed just before the first announcement of office closure on March 23.

"As the situation is worsening day by day I am really worried when we will get salaries," said a teacher of Sirajganj district.

Another teacher from Naogaon said if the government gives this special attention and arranges their salary, it will be great help for them and their families.

Brahmanbaria district primary education officer Shazzad Hossain and Naogaon primary education officer Siddique Md Yousuf Reza both said usually salary of newly-recruited teachers get delayed due to different formalities in multiple offices.

"This time it is taking more time due to closure of offices during Covid-19 outbreak," said Shazzad Hossain.

Around 270 new teachers joined different schools at Brahmanbaria while 278 teachers joined schools in Naogaon.

Primary and mass education Secretary Akram-Al-Hossain told The Daily Star that once the newly recruited teachers get entry to IBAS++ they will get salary.

"Work is progressing slowly due to current situation. But there is nothing to be worried [about], everyone will get salary," he assured.

The Directorate of Primary Education started the teacher recruiting process for 61 districts in July 2018 and over 24 lakh applications had been submitted for the posts.