HC orders retirement benefits for private teachers within six months

The High Court has directed that nearly six lakh teachers and staff of MPO-enlisted private educational institutions must be provided with retirement benefits within six months of retirement. The 13-page verdict by the High Court Division bench, comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque, has been published on the Supreme Court’s website.

Advocate Siddique Ullah Mia, the lawyer for the petitioners, confirmed the news to the media, saying, “This verdict will reduce the hardship of nearly six lakh teachers and staff across the country.”

Siddique Ullah Mia explained that in 2019, MPO-enlisted teachers and staff filed a writ petition regarding their retirement benefits. The petition noted that until 2017, 6 percent of teachers’ salaries were deducted, which was then paid back as retirement benefits. However, in 2017, the Ministry of Education decided to increase the deduction to 10 percent, while maintaining the benefits at the same level as the previous 6 percent. The writ sought equalisation of benefits for the full 10 percent deduction. After a lengthy hearing, the High Court issued its ruling.

The court stated that although 10 percent is deducted from teachers’ salaries, they are entitled to additional benefits. Moreover, retirement benefits must be provided within six months of retirement.

Previously, the teachers had filed the writ challenging a notification issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division on 15 April 2019.