Govt Considering Recruitment of Around 9,000 Religion Teachers: Education Minister

Education and Primary & Mass Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has informed Parliament that the government is considering the recruitment of approximately 9,000 religion teachers in primary schools to strengthen moral and religious education.

He made the statement on Sunday (15 March) during the question-answer session of the second day of the first sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament), while responding to a question from Cumilla MP Monirul Chowdhury.

The minister said primary education has received renewed emphasis under a 180-day reform programme initiated by the government. He noted that the sector was given significant attention during the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and the current administration is once again prioritising it.

Dr. Milon explained that the ministry has received directives to introduce major changes to the primary education system, with special focus on building moral values and religious awareness among students.

He acknowledged complications in certifying teachers, particularly those from the Qawmi madrassa system. The subject of Qira’at (Qur’anic recitation) — a specialisation for many Qawmi graduates — does not formally exist in the mainstream madrassa curriculum, creating administrative challenges in recognising qualifications.

“The ministry is working to resolve these certification issues so that qualified candidates can be recruited as Islamic Studies teachers,” he added.

The minister emphasised that religious education would not be limited to Islam alone. “We are moving forward by giving importance to the religious sentiments of followers of all faiths,” he said.

Earlier, MP Monirul Chowdhury raised concerns about the deterioration of the education system over the past 15 to 17 years, despite improvements in school infrastructure. He pointed out that many primary schools now have good buildings but suffer from a shortage of students, with examples where the number of teachers exceeds that of pupils.

The MP also urged the government to make moral education, Qur’anic education, the history of the Liberation War, and the July uprising mandatory in the national curriculum to restore values among students.