Teachers Fume Over Plan to Restore Politicians as Managing Committee Chairs

The interim government had earlier taken steps to remove political leaders from the chairman positions of managing committees in non-government schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions. Instead, government officials and retired bureaucrats were appointed, which many say restored administrative discipline and accountability in many institutions.

Recently, the Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance has again demanded the reappointment of political leaders to these posts. The alliance is led by Principal Selim Bhuiyan, a BNP MP. On Sunday, over 100 leaders and activists of the alliance met Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Haq Milon in the ministry meeting room.

During the meeting, they demanded the reintroduction of political leaders as managing committee chairs. They also proposed that elected MPs should be allowed to chair at least three educational institutions.

This demand has triggered strong reactions from general teachers, education administrators, and academics.

Many argue that the chairman position in a managing committee is extremely important and must remain free from political influence. In the past, during the Awami League government, various institutions faced allegations of recruitment business, admission business, and other irregularities, often linked directly or indirectly to politically appointed chairmen.

Teachers claim that political influence frequently led to appointments based on party loyalty rather than merit, damaging educational quality and increasing administrative instability. They view the interim government’s recent decision as a positive step toward improving education standards.

Principal Delawar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the MPO Nationalization Aspiring Alliance, told The Daily Campus: “After the July uprising, we held several meetings with the Education Adviser and demanded the removal of political leaders from managing committees. The interim government took this decision based on the demands of teachers and employees. But recently, a group is muddying a settled issue. They want to return to the fascist-era system by reintroducing political leaders in managing committees. The Nationalization Aspiring Alliance strongly opposes this.”

Principal Selim Bhuiyan, chairman of the Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance and BNP MP, said: “Currently, educational institutions are running in free style. To stop this, political leaders must be present in managing committees. Their presence will ensure accountability. Principals and head teachers will not be able to run institutions arbitrarily. In an upazila, there are 25 to 30 institutions. If one MP chairs three, the others will also remain under supervision.”

When asked why they are demanding political leaders when most teachers do not want them, Principal Selim Bhuiyan replied: “Many people say many things on Facebook. Facebook surveys are not reliable. Facebook has ruined education.”

When asked about the issue, State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj told The Daily Campus: “No decision has been taken yet on this matter. We will review the issues and formally inform you afterward.”