NTRCA Lacks Own Office After 20 Years, Spends Tk 2.5 Crore Annually on Rent
Two decades since its establishment in 2005, the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) continues to operate without a permanent office, incurring an annual expenditure of approximately Tk 2.5 crore on rent for leased premises. Tasked with managing the recruitment of entry-level teachers for non-government educational institutions, the NTRCA has been compelled to conduct its operations from rented buildings, leading to significant financial and operational challenges.
Following its inception, the NTRCA was entrusted with preparing lists for teacher recruitment, registration, and certification. In December 2015, a circular expanded its responsibilities to include recommending candidates for entry-level positions such as lecturers, assistant teachers, demonstrators, trade instructors, and assistant moulvis based on merit. Until 2015, the organization operated from the National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM) building. However, overwhelmed by frequent lobbying from student organization leaders, the NTRCA relocated to the Red Crescent Borak Tower in Eskaton in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, the organization rented two floors of the tower, paying Tk 24 lakh per month, totaling Tk 2.88 crore annually and Tk 11.52 crore over four years. In 2020, after relinquishing half a floor to another office, the monthly rent was reduced to Tk 20 lakh, resulting in an additional Tk 13.8 crore spent on rent from 2020 to September 2025. Over the past nine years, the NTRCA has spent a staggering Tk 25.32 crore on rent alone.
Officials at the NTRCA argue that these funds could have been used to construct a permanent office, which would have ensured long-term savings and streamlined operations. The rented premises pose challenges such as inadequate space, compromised security, and reduced confidentiality due to shared facilities with other offices. The organization’s current office on the fourth floor of the Red Crescent Borak Tower houses one chairman (additional secretary), three members (joint secretaries), one secretary (deputy secretary), 21 officers, and approximately 20 additional staff, including personal secretaries and support personnel. The limited space, which includes a conference room and guest seating area, has led to cramped conditions, severely disrupting the work environment. Piles of files in small rooms slow down operations and increase frustration among staff, who struggle to manage critical documents and maintain an efficient workflow.
An NTRCA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Daily Campus, “Rooms are overcrowded, with double the intended number of staff squeezed in. There’s no proper environment for work, and finding files or holding discussions is often challenging.” NTRCA Chairman Aminul Islam echoed the sentiment, stating, “We urgently need our own building. We are in discussions, but a positive decision from the highest government levels is required.” Sources reveal that the NTRCA has Tk 300-400 crore in its bank account, sufficient to acquire land and construct a building. Previous efforts to identify suitable locations in areas like Bashila and Mirpur, including consultations with property dealers, have not materialized due to various reasons.
The absence of a permanent office and the substantial expenditure on rent have been labeled by many as a “waste of public funds,” pointing to administrative inefficiencies and poor planning. NTRCA officials and staff warn that without urgent action to build a permanent office, the organization will continue to incur significant rental costs, further hampering its operations and exacerbating workplace challenges.
