Photo: Bonik Barta Teachers are referred to
as the architects of the nation. After parents, a teacher plays the most
significant role in shaping a person's life. To honor and remember teachers, UNESCO has
celebrated World Teachers' Day globally every year since October 5, 1994. In
Bangladesh, this day is observed through both government and private
initiatives.
However, retired
teachers say that despite being the nation's architects, they are losing respect. They face
ongoing difficulties in receiving their pension benefits. Although they are
supposed to receive their benefits within six months, it often takes years.
Even after protesting at private educational institutions and welfare boards,
they cannot obtain their pensions. The most respected individuals in society
are losing their dignity after retirement.
Some teachers have died
while still in service, and others who retired usually are not receiving their
benefits. Nazrul Islam, an assistant teacher at Dipshikha Secondary School in
Thakurgaon Sadar, passed away due to illness. After his death, it was revealed
that he had loaned BDT 1 million from a bank. While coping with the loss of her
husband, his wife, Rowshan Ara, became overwhelmed by the pressure of the debt
while raising their two children. She has been trying to obtain her husband’s
pension to repay the loan and manage household expenses. Despite several visits
to the Private Educational Institutions Teachers and Employees Welfare Board in
Dhaka, she has not received any benefits. She is still struggling to support
her family.
Rowshan Ara said, “After my husband’s
death, I have become both the mother and father to our two children. We have a
small piece of arable land. I thought I would find some relief with the pension
benefits. A few days later, I learned that my husband, Nazrul Islam, had taken a loan of
BDT 1 million from Sonali Bank. I have been running around selling crops to
secure the pension benefits. I have submitted all the paperwork but still haven’t
received the pension money.”
Meanwhile, in February
of this year, the High Court instructed that pension benefits be provided to
teachers and employees of MPO-registered private educational institutions
within six months of their retirement. However, the reality is quite different.
Even six months since the directive,
most teachers have not received their pension benefits.
Abdullah Manik, a
retired assistant teacher from Akhanagar High School, said, “I retired
two years ago, and the paperwork still hasn’t even begun.”
Shahjahan-e-Habib, the
headmaster of Gilabari Ideal High School and a teacher representative told
Bonik Barta, “Teachers are facing harassment in their efforts to
receive pension benefits. We have previously informed the relevant authorities
about this issue.”
In this regard, District
Secondary Education Officer Shahin Akhtar stated, “Every day,
someone is retiring. Many say they have not received their pension benefits on
time. We have informed the relevant department about the matter.”
