49 Govt Primary Schools in Abhaynagar Operate Without Headteachers
Forty-nine government primary schools in Abhaynagar upazila of Jashore have been operating without head teachers for years. Assistant teachers are performing the duties of acting head teachers alongside their regular teaching responsibilities, affecting academic and administrative activities.
Abhaynagar has 117 government primary schools across one municipality and eight unions. Around 6,000 students study at the 49 schools without permanent head teachers. Teachers, parents and local residents say the vacancies are affecting regular classes and school development and should be filled quickly.
Parents, including Kanu Biswas, Abdul Haque, Abhijit Biswas and Anamika Roy, said acting head teachers must handle administrative work, monitor classrooms and attend meetings and seminars in addition to teaching. “Which is why he cannot go to school regularly. As a result, our children are facing problems in their studies.”
Narayan Chandra Karmakar, acting head teacher of Harishpur Government Primary School in Sundali Union, said, “I have been serving as an acting head teacher for a long time. Along with school and office work, I also have to take classes. Many times, performing both duties together disrupts classroom activities. Even so, I am trying my best to maintain the quality of education.”
Acting head teachers Md Shahjahan Biswas and Md Rafiqul Islam raised similar concerns. Tapan Kumar Mondal, president of the Central Committee of Assistant Teachers and former general secretary of the Abhaynagar Upazila Primary Teachers’ Association, said promotions have remained suspended due to a case filed by nationalised teachers, preventing the vacant posts from being filled.
Abhaynagar Upazila Primary Education Officer Biswajit Saha confirmed that 49 schools lack head teachers, saying promotions have not been possible due to the ongoing case.
