Limited vacancies leave MPO madrasa teachers struggling to secure preferred transfers

Although MPO-listed teachers at private madrasas now have an opportunity to seek transfers, many are unable to move to their preferred institutions because suitable vacancies are limited. The problem is particularly acute for female teachers, who often need to balance their jobs with their husbands’ workplaces, children and family responsibilities, while finding vacancies for the same post and subject in preferred areas has become difficult.

The situation is further complicated by the “same-level” condition attached to the transfer process, which restricts teachers largely to institutions at the same level as their current madrasa.

Mahfuza Morsheda, a lecturer in biology at Nandail Chakmati DS Fazil Madrasa in Mymensingh, is one such teacher. Her parents and in-laws live in Rajshahi, while her husband works in Gazipur. With her current workplace in Mymensingh, she says managing her professional and family responsibilities has become increasingly difficult.

“I want to transfer to an area near my husband’s workplace. That would make it easier to manage both my job and family responsibilities. But there is no vacant post in my subject at any institution in Gazipur, so I have applied to an institution in Tangail, which is close to Gazipur. That would at least reduce some of the difficulties,” Mahfuza told The Daily Campus.

She said, “My husband works in Gazipur, while my parents and in-laws are in Rajshahi. So working from my current workplace in Mymensingh while also managing my family responsibilities and married life has become difficult.”

Another female teacher, Maksuratam Makhpia, faces a different situation. She has been teaching at Bishwanabi (SM) Islamia Alim Madrasa in Narayanganj for nearly 19 years. Following her divorce about five years ago, she moved to Dhaka and now travels from the capital to Narayanganj every day through heavy traffic to attend work.

After the transfer opportunity became available, Makhpia wants to move to a madrasa closer to Dhaka. However, as an assistant professor, she is also finding it difficult to locate a suitable vacant post and is uncertain whether she will be able to secure a transfer to her preferred institution.

The circumstances of Mahfuza and Makhpia are different. One wants to move closer to her husband’s workplace, while the other wants to relocate closer to Dhaka after her divorce. But both face the same fundamental problem: limited vacancies in suitable posts and subjects in their preferred areas.

Why female teachers face greater difficulties

For female teachers, determining a suitable workplace involves more than commuting distance. Their husbands’ workplaces, children and family responsibilities, relationships with parents and in-laws, and personal security can all influence where they prefer to work.

As a result, many female teachers prioritise specific areas or institutions when seeking transfers. But when suitable vacancies are unavailable in those locations, their options become even narrower. The “same-level” condition further reduces the number of institutions to which they can apply.

‘Same-level’ rule narrows transfer opportunities

Around 42,000 vacant posts have been published as part of the transfer process for MPO-listed madrasa teachers. Applications opened on August 30 and will remain open until 4pm on September 6.

However, the “same-level” condition has created complications. Under the condition, a teacher can generally seek transfer only to a madrasa operating at the same level as their current institution.

For example, a teacher working at an Alim madrasa can transfer to another Alim madrasa. Similarly, a teacher working at a Fazil or Kamil madrasa cannot transfer to an institution at another level even if a vacant post in the same subject and position is available there.

As a result, teachers cannot include suitable vacancies at institutions of a different level in their preferred list. This has further reduced the number of institutions available to them.

Same qualifications for recruitment, level barrier for transfers

Teachers seeking transfers are questioning why the institutional level should restrict transfers when recruitment can take place on the basis of the same educational qualifications and subject.

They argue that if a teacher can be recruited to an Alim, Fazil or Kamil-level institution based on the relevant qualifications and subject, they should also be allowed to transfer to another level when a suitable post and subject vacancy exists.

They have called for transfer opportunities to other madrasa levels in the public interest, provided the teacher’s qualifications and post are compatible. They suggested that necessary administrative measures could subsequently be taken to prevent complications involving index changes, MPO status or salary and allowances.

Teachers fear that retaining the “same-level” condition will leave a large number of applicants without any practical transfer opportunity. In many cases, finding a vacancy in the same subject is difficult enough, while requiring that the vacancy also be at the same institutional level makes the process even more restrictive.

Directorate lacks authority to change condition

According to sources at the Directorate of Madrasa Education, the “same-level” condition was determined or changed through the Technical and Madrasa Education Division. The directorate therefore does not have direct authority to make a decision on the matter.

A directorate official said removing the condition would significantly increase the number of applications and make the verification process more time-consuming. However, the official acknowledged that the directorate is aware that the condition prevents many teachers from applying to their preferred institutions.

Greater impact on female teachers

The combination of the “same-level” condition and the requirement for vacancies in the same subject is creating particular difficulties for a significant number of female teachers. Those seeking to move closer to their husbands’ workplaces, in particular, are struggling to find suitable institutions.

Female teachers in other family circumstances are also facing the same problem. Thus, although a transfer opportunity exists, many teachers have limited chances of actually reaching their preferred workplace.

Dr Fawzia Moslem, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, told The Daily Campus that a favourable environment must be created for women.

“An enabling environment must certainly be created for women. They have responsibilities to maintain relationships with their husbands and with both families. Therefore, their family circumstances should be considered in transfers, rather than looking only at the level of their current institution or vacancies in a particular subject,” she said.

She added, “Convenient provisions should be made not only for married women but for all female workers, including unmarried and divorced women. Only then will participation increase. The country will also prosper.”