Grade Disparity Leaves Madrasah Agriculture Teachers Unpaid for Two Months, Ministry Silent

Despite identical qualifications, the same recruitment exam, and the same NTRCA 7th Public Notification, assistant teachers (agriculture education) appointed in madrasahs have not received salaries for two consecutive months due to a grade disparity.

Teachers who joined their institutions on 1 February after January recruitment are now facing acute financial and mental hardship. With Eid-ul-Fitr approaching, many are deeply uncertain about how to manage family celebrations without income.

The Root Cause: Grade 10 vs Grade 11 Inequality

According to the recruitment notification and longstanding policy, the post of assistant teacher (agriculture) in both schools and madrasahs was classified as 10th grade. Teachers submitted MPO files on this basis. However, the central programmer began rejecting them, with comments stating: “Files should be sent under 11th grade.”

This exposed the discrepancy: school agriculture teachers remain in Grade 10, while the latest MPO policy for madrasahs lists the same post under Grade 11. As a result, despite the same exam, qualifications, and competition, a clear salary grade inequality has emerged between school and madrasah teachers.

Victims’ Response and Ministry Acknowledgment

Affected teachers submitted a memorandum to the Secretary of the Technical and Madrasah Education Division. The secretary acknowledged the issue as a genuine disparity and assured serious consideration. A file was forwarded to the Education Minister for approval.

Although the ministry approved the file, no revised policy has been issued yet. Consequently, February and March MPO files continue to be rejected at regional offices.

A revised policy for lecturer posts in madrasahs was issued on Sunday, but no similar amendment has been made for assistant teacher (agriculture) grade correction.

Ministry Points to Finance Division for Approval

The Technical and Madrasah Education Division claims that upgrading the post to Grade 10 requires Finance Division approval due to financial implications. A letter is expected to be sent to the Finance Ministry soon, after which the revised policy can be issued if approved.

Deepening Financial and Mental Crisis

With no salary for February and March, teachers are in severe financial distress. Many say they cannot meet basic Eid expenses.

Victim teacher Md. Oli said: “We joined with many dreams after new recruitment. But now we have had no salary for two months. Eid is coming, but we cannot do anything for our families. This is extremely painful.”

Another teacher, Md. Masud, added: “We joined knowing it was Grade 10. School agriculture teachers are getting Grade 10 salary after the same exam, but we in madrasahs are trapped in Grade 11 complications. This inequality must be resolved quickly.”

Demand for Immediate Policy Revision

The teachers are demanding swift issuance of the revised MPO policy for madrasahs to eliminate the grade disparity for assistant teacher (agriculture) posts. They also urge that already-submitted MPO files not be rejected further and that immediate steps be taken to resolve the issue.