Retired teachers may head school management bodies: Education Minister

The government is considering appointing retired teachers as chairpersons of managing committees and governing bodies in private schools, colleges, and madrasas, Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan said on Sunday (April 12).

Speaking at a meeting with exam centre secretaries in Dhaka ahead of the upcoming SSC and equivalent examinations, the minister also reiterated his strong opposition to the controversial lottery-based admission system in schools.

He said an initiative is being considered to form a commission involving retired teachers, through which experienced educators could be appointed as heads of institutional governing bodies to improve education quality.

Although no final decision has been taken, the proposal is under process, he added.

The minister stressed that ensuring quality classroom teaching remains the government’s top priority, noting that students are increasingly dependent on coaching centres and private tutors due to gaps in school instruction.

He also argued against the school admission lottery system, saying it does not reflect merit and has failed to reduce inequality.

“There are claims that the lottery system ensures fairness, but in my view it neither properly assesses merit nor effectively reduces disparities,” he said.

The minister further questioned the transparency of the lottery process, suggesting that concerns exist over how student placements have been decided in practice.

He also raised concerns over parental preference for reputed schools, questioning why families avoid enrolling children in local institutions despite the presence of quality schools in all areas.

The meeting also included instructions to ensure smooth conduct of the upcoming SSC examinations across the country.