600 Jashore teachers, staff unpaid for 7-month due to fund disbursement delay

Over 600 teachers and staff involved in the Fourth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-4) in Jashore, who work with dropout children, have not received their salaries for the past seven months due to a delay in fund disbursement from the ministry.

As a result, Disha Samaj Kalyan Somity, the organization responsible for implementing the project, is facing difficulties in maintaining the 566 learning centers across the district. To resolve the situation, they have urgently appealed to the ministry to expedite the release of the necessary funds.

According to sources, the Fourth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-4) is being executed by the Directorate of Primary Education under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to provide primary education to all children in the country.

The PEDP-4 aims to provide integrated, equitable, and high-quality primary education for all children from pre-primary through class 5. A key component of this initiative is the Out-of-School Children's Education Programme (sub-component 2.5), which focuses on offering a second chance at primary education to children aged 8–14 who are out of school, including those who have dropped out or have never enrolled. The goal is to reintegrate these children into the formal education system. Disha Samaj Kalyan Somity is responsible for implementing this programme in Jashore.

Officials from Disha Samaj Kalyan Somity said that the project is being implemented across eight upazilas and the Jashore municipality. In 2021, a total of 16,985 students were enrolled in 566 learning centers in the district. Of these, 3,894 students have been reintegrated into the mainstream education system, while 13,091 are currently studying in the 5th grade. The project employs a total of 636 individuals, including 566 teachers, 42 supervisors, 10 upazila managers, and 18 other officials.

In the Out-of-School Children's Education Programme, implemented by Disha Samaj Kalyan Somity, the Non-Formal Education Bureau directly handles the allocation of salaries for teachers, room rent for learning centers, and compensation for supervisors and staff.

Shahafur Bakhtiar, the Jashore municipality project manager, said, "Jashore municipality has 61 learning centers. Teachers and supervisors at these centers received their salaries via Account Payable checks up until December, but no further funds have been released since then. As a result, staff remain unpaid, despite the organization covering incidental expenses, including the rent for the learning centers."

"All upazila nirbahi officers have submitted IVA (Independent Verification Agency) reports confirming that the learning centers are operating effectively with the educational materials provided by the government," he added.

Khaleda Akhter, a teacher at Jahsore Municipality Learning Center, said, "The lack of salary for the past 7 months has left them in dire conditions. Relatives are no longer willing to lend money, and shopkeepers are demanding payment for outstanding bills. Managing her family has become extremely difficult."

Jesse Nasrin, a programme supervisor in Jahsore Municipality, said, "This job is her only source of income, but she has been living under inhumane conditions for the past 7 months. Despite this, Disha Samaj Kalyan Sanstha has maintained the education program by providing students in the learning centers with free books, notebooks, school bags, and uniforms."

Ratul Sheikh, a student at the Mollapara Bashtola Learning Center in Jahsore Municipality, said, "We used to receive our allowances every month, but now we get them only once every two months. This has created some difficulties for us."

Rafia, another student, said, "We receive drawing books and colored pencils only once a year, so we can't draw as much as we'd like. If we got these supplies at least twice a year, we would be able to draw more freely."

However, another student from the same institute, Mehedi Hasan, said, "Many people at the center have received their stipend money, but I have not received mine."
Regarding the matter, Kamrul Islam, district programme manager, said, "A list of 1,292 students who have not received their stipends—from Sadar Upazila, Jashore Municipality, and 8 other upazilas in the district—has been sent to the Non-Formal Education Bureau, where it is currently under official revision."

Rahima Sultana, executive director of Disha Samaj Kalyan Somity, said, "Despite delays in government funding, the organization is continuing the project according to policy. This includes managing all learning materials and covering the costs of grade change tests to reintegrate students into the mainstream education system. To ensure the process runs smoothly, prompt release of funds is essential."

Hiramon Kumar Biswas, assistant director of Jashore district Non-Formal Education Bureau, said, "The project is being implemented according to the implementation guidelines and is operating as per IVA (Independent Verification Agency) reports in all upazilas. However, no additional funds have been released since December 2023."
"To successfully complete the project and reintegrate all students into the mainstream education system, the project must continue until June 30, 2025," he emphasised.