Most government primary schools in Sariakandi upazila of Bogra, especially in the char areas, have been facing an acute shortage of teachers for a long time. Students are being deprived of proper education as teachers usually show reluctance to go to remote schools.
However, education officers say that the government will recruit new teachers immediately, which will help resolve the teachers’ crisis.
According to the data available with Sariakandi Upazila Primary Education Office, three posts of teachers out of six are lying vacant at Bera Panchbaria Government Primary School in Kazla union. Earlier, two teachers used to hold classes, but recently one more joined the school, raising the number of teachers to three, including head teacher. But within a few days, one of them will go for training, leaving only two teachers to handle all classes again.
The data also shows that almost all government primary schools are facing a shortage of teachers in the char areas under four unions in Sariakandi upazila. Each school has only half the number of teachers required. Students say they have only two to three classes each day.
According to Sariakandi Upazila Primary Education Office, there are 168 government primary schools in the upazila. Posts of 114 teachers, including head teachers, are lying vacant in these schools. Of these, 68 are assistant teacher posts. The teacher shortage is worst in the char areas. Additionally, 46 primary schools do not have permanent head teachers.
Sadia Akter, a fifth-grade student at Bera Panchbaria Government Primary School, says they have only three to four classes a day because there are not enough teachers. She says plaster often falls from the ceiling, sometimes hitting students and causing pain. Although the school has a bathroom, there is no water, so students have to go home to respond to nature’s call.
Acting head teacher Shahnewaz says he has been serving as acting head teacher for several years. With only two teachers, they have to rush from one class to another to teach. The school walls are crumbling, and they face many challenges in managing the students.
Rashed Sarkar, acting head teacher of Char Jamthal Government Primary School, says almost every school in the char area faces a severe teacher shortage, leaving students deprived of proper education.
Sariakandi Upazila Primary Education Officer Mahtabur Rahman says the char areas have no good communication with schools. Teachers have to face many problems commuting every day and spend a lot of money, which leads many to seek transfers elsewhere.
“This is why primary schools in char areas face a shortage of teachers. The government has already taken steps to recruit new teachers, and once they join, the crisis will be resolved. We are also taking steps to renovate the schools,” he added.
