32 MPO schools in Kalapara struggle with teacher shortage, 108 posts vacant, classes disrupted
All 32 MPO listed schools in Kalapara face a shortage of teachers, and it is hurting the results of students. Schools cannot hold regular classes because they have too few teachers. In Kalapara of Patuakhali, 108 teacher posts in different subjects are vacant in 32 MPO listed secondary schools and one government secondary school. Students suffer most in important subjects such as English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and this lowers the quality of education and exam results.
These posts have stayed empty for a long time, but no effective step has been taken to fill them, so the crisis keeps growing. One teacher has to take classes for several grades and subjects. This makes it hard to finish the syllabus on time. Many students do not get enough classes, so they depend on coaching centres and YouTube lessons. Parents are also unhappy. Data from the Upazila Secondary Education Officer and the Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS) show 108 vacant teacher posts in the 33 secondary schools.
A visit to the area shows that many teachers now take 25 to 27 classes a week. They normally should take only 15 to 17 classes. Schools must fill the vacant posts with subject based teachers to end the shortage. The shortage is hurting the quality of education and exam results.
School wise data show that Khepupara Government Secondary School has two vacant posts in Bangla and English and three in Social Science. A teacher post in General Electrical is also vacant there. Khepupara Girls Secondary School has no teachers for Chemistry and Physics, and its Assistant Head Teacher post is empty. Haji Abdus Sobhan Sikder Model Academy has no teachers for ICT and Arts and Crafts.
Chakamaiya Betmor Secondary School lacks an Assistant Head Teacher and teachers for Social Science, Agriculture, Physics and Chemistry. Nur Mohammad Secondary School has vacant posts for English, Physical Education, Arts and Crafts, and Assistant Head Teacher. Madhya Tiakhali A K H M Secondary School has no teachers for Chemistry, Physics, and Arts and Crafts.
Lalua Janata Secondary School has vacant posts for teachers of Islam Education, Physics, and Arts and Crafts, and for a lab operator. North Lalua UC Secondary School has no teachers for Chemistry, Biology, and Arts and Crafts. East Madhukhali Secondary School lacks teachers for Physics, Chemistry, and Arts and Crafts. Lalua S K J B Secondary School has no Assistant Head Teacher and no teachers for Chemistry, Physics, and Arts and Crafts. Togachhia Secondary School also lacks teachers for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Arts and Crafts.
Pakhimara Prafulla Bhowmik Secondary School has no Head Teacher, no Assistant Head Teacher, and no teachers for Social Science, Bangla, Physics, and Arts and Crafts. Faridganj Secondary School has vacant posts for Head Teacher and for teachers of English, Physics, Chemistry, and Arts and Crafts. Menhajpur Hakkani Secondary School has no teachers for ICT, Physics, and Arts and Crafts.
Patua Al Amin Secondary School lacks a Head Teacher, an Assistant Head Teacher, and teachers for ICT, Physics, Chemistry, and Arts and Crafts. Mohipur Cooperative Secondary School has no Head Teacher and no teachers for Chemistry, and Arts and Crafts. Fatema High Secondary School lacks teachers in several subjects, including Biology and Physics. Musalliyabad AK Secondary School has no teachers for English, Chemistry and Physics, and no Assistant Head Teacher.
Alhaj Abu Hanif Khan Secondary School lacks teachers for ICT, Science, and Arts and Crafts. Londa Hafiz Uddin Secondary School has no teachers for Biology, and Arts and Crafts. Panchjunia Dhankhali Secondary School lacks teachers for Chemistry, Physics, and Arts and Crafts. Dhankhali S H and Ashraf Academy has no teachers for Physics, Chemistry, and Arts and Crafts.
Dhankhali Gazi A Mannan Lower Secondary School lacks teachers for Mathematics, Physical Science, ICT, and Arts and Crafts. Sishu Palli Academy has no teachers for ICT, and Arts and Crafts. Tulatuli Secondary School lacks an Assistant Head Teacher and teachers for Information and Communication Technology, Chemistry, Physics, and Arts and Crafts.
Dhulasar Secondary School has no teachers for Biology, Physics, and Arts and Crafts. Charchapli Islamia Secondary School has vacant posts for Assistant Head Teacher and for teachers of Chemistry, Physics, and Arts and Crafts. Hajipur Secondary School has no teachers for Physics, and Arts and Crafts. Dhankhali M U Secondary School has vacant posts for Head Teacher and for teachers of Chemistry, Physics, and Arts and Crafts.
Teachers complain that the vacant posts have stayed empty for a long time, so it has become hard to run normal classes. One teacher has to carry out several duties. As a result, schools cannot ensure proper teaching for students. Parents in various schools say the schools should appoint subject based teachers. They say they have told the proper authorities about the shortage many times, and the government must also give this issue priority.
Mr. Muhammad Mojibur Rahman, Patuakhali District Education Officer, said a notice for teacher registration is already under way. The authorities have sent the list of vacant posts for the eighth registration. He said they hope to get teachers for these posts once the registration process ends.
