SC clears way for filling 15,000 MPO teacher posts

The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the way for the government to appoint competent candidates to around 15,000 vacant posts of headmasters and principals in Monthly Pay Order (MPO)-enlisted educational institutions.

Justice Md Rezaul Haque, chamber judge of the Appellate Division of the SC, stayed a High Court judgment delivered on July 23 scrapping an amended provision requiring 18 years of teaching experience for appointments to those posts.

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The SC judge passed the order following a petition filed by the education ministry seeking a stay on the HC judgment.

Following the SC order, there is no legal bar for the government to complete the appointment process to those posts, with viva voce for candidates scheduled to begin on October 15, Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal said.

Citing a circular issued on a January 29, the AG said there were 10,278 vacant posts for head-teachers under the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, 3,131 vacant posts for principals, vice-principals, supers and assistant supers under the Directorate of Madrasa Education and 150 vacant posts for principals and superintendents under the Directorate of Technical Education.

According to the circular, the total number of vacant posts was 13,559, which could subsequently rise to nearly 15,000, he said.

The requirement of 18 years’ teaching experience was introduced through an amendment on March 25 this year. Under the 2021 manpower structure, candidates were required to have 15 years of teaching experience, including three years as an assistant head-teacher.

After 46 teachers filed a writ petition with the HC challenging the amendment, the court declared the March 25 decision illegal.

The education ministry and the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) then appealed to the SC against the HC judgment.

The chamber judge has stayed the operation of the HC judgment, allowing the recruitment process to proceed under the 18-year experience requirement, AG Ruhul Quddus he said.

However, the court directed the authorities to keep 46 posts reserved for the 46 writ petitioners, he added.