1,719 educational institutions may receive MPO status

The Ministry of Education says it has preliminarily identified 1,719 private educational institutions at various levels for possible inclusion under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) system. A press release on Sunday noted that while this number has been flagged by automated software, detailed institution‑wise verification is still underway and will include document checks and on‑site inspections if needed.

Two senior ministry officials told Prothom Alo that the verification process will be deferred for now and that no MPO approvals will be granted before the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Earlier, the Secondary and Higher Education Division invited MPO applications under the manpower structure and MPO policy for private schools and colleges. By the deadline, 3,615 applications were filed: 859 lower secondary (Grades 6–8), 1,170 secondary, 687 higher secondary, 440 bachelor’s (pass), 414 bachelor’s (honours), and 45 postgraduate institutions. Using policy‑based software that grades applicants by eligibility, regional balance, and other factors, 1,719 institutions were initially flagged for first‑phase consideration. The ministry has calculated potential financial costs and sent a letter to the Finance Ministry seeking consent.

The ministry is now verifying application documents against records from the Ministry of Land, DSHE, the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Boards, the National University, and online databases. Where necessary, officials will visit sites. The final list will be set after both automated grading and verification through online data and physical inspections.

Teachers and staff at MPO‑listed institutions receive the core portion of their salaries and several allowances from the government. The ministry urged everyone not to spread misleading or false information about MPO enlistment and asked for cooperation with the Secondary and Higher Education Division. It requested that no one attempt unethical financial transactions or personal approaches regarding MPO approvals.

Anyone encountering such attempts or with MPO‑related complaints or information is asked to inform the division via WhatsApp at +8801339774528.