Teachers' pension scheme to be launched next year: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that universal pension scheme “Prottoy” for the teachers of public universities will be launched next year, as the misunderstanding over the issue has been resolved.

He also assured that the demands of university teachers will be brought to the attention of the prime minister.

He said: "The misunderstanding regarding the matter has been resolved. All individuals from government and autonomous organizations will be included in the coverage of the universal pension scheme from July 1, 2025. The information that teachers at public universities were initially scheduled to join the pension scheme on July 1, 2024, was incorrect."

Obaidul Quader made the remarks while speaking to the journalists following a meeting with public university teachers at Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's Dhanmondi office in the capital on Saturday (July 13).

Addressing one of their three demands, he said it has been confirmed that teachers will join the pension scheme along with everyone else from July 1, 2025.

He said: "A 13-member delegation, including the president and general secretary of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers Association (FBUTA), joined the meeting. They had a detailed discussion, and the problem will be resolved soon."

"We will discuss the issues of super grade and scale for teachers and ensure that their demands are brought to the attention of the prime minister," Quader added.

Requesting the teachers to withdraw their work absenteeism programme, Quader said: "We will make a collective decision after consulting with the federation leaders. Fulfilling all of the teachers' demands simultaneously may not be possible. The government operates on reasoning, and it will prioritize rational demands in its considerations."

Following the meeting, FBUTA General Secretary and President of the Dhaka University Teachers Association, Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan, expressed satisfaction and said that a decision regarding work abstention would be announced after consulting with all relevant parties.