Teachers will not need to take to streets for legitimate demands: Education Minister

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has said that teachers will no longer need to take to the streets to press home their legitimate demands, as the government is committed to addressing them through dialogue and policy measures.

He made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at a meeting with the Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance at the Education Ministry conference room on Sunday (February 22).

The minister said the government is giving the highest priority to the education sector and will implement teachers’ and employees’ justified demands in phases. "Although not all demands can be met immediately due to limitations in the new budget, the remaining issues will be placed before the prime minister," he added.

On allegations against ministry officials, he said complaints will be reviewed and addressed gradually. Discussions are also underway regarding school management committees and governing bodies, including a proposal to prevent one individual from holding responsibilities in multiple institutions, which will be considered in managing committee meetings.

Referring to the Non-Government Teachers' Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), the minister said recent changes in the recruitment system will be reviewed and necessary adjustments made where required. “We do not engage in corruption, we will not, and we will not allow it,” he said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the education sector.

He added that meetings will soon be held to decide on financial issues, including retirement benefits and welfare trust funds. According to the minister, the education sector is receiving top priority at the policymaking level of the current government, with education-related matters also featuring prominently in recent cabinet discussions.

State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj said the written demands submitted by teachers have been taken seriously. Standing issues among the demands have been identified, and efforts are underway to resolve them through consultation to ensure long-term solutions rather than temporary measures.

Chairman of the Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance and Cumilla-2 MP Selim Bhuiyan was present at the meeting.