Chronic Teacher Shortages Disrupt Operations at 72 Percent of Primary Schools in Matlab Uttar
Photo Collected
A severe leadership vacuum has crippled primary education in Chandpur’s Matlab Uttar upazila, where 130 of the 180 government primary schools—or 72 percent—are currently operating without a permanent head teacher. This staffing crisis, which affects approximately 38,000 students, has hampered both academic instruction and essential administrative operations.
According to a report by Prothom Alo, the crisis in Matlab Uttar is significantly more acute than the national average. Across Bangladesh, roughly 55 percent of head teacher positions remain vacant, with over 36,000 of the 65,000 authorized roles currently unfilled. In Matlab Uttar, the duration of these vacancies varies from two months to as long as five years.
At schools like Sipaikandi Government Primary School, senior assistant teachers have been forced to take on the responsibilities of head teachers in a temporary capacity. These educators describe a mounting burden, noting that they must juggle classroom instruction with a heavy load of administrative tasks, including data reporting, coordination with local education offices, and managing school-wide operations. Educators and parents alike contend that this lack of permanent leadership has weakened school discipline and hampered overall coordination, a sentiment echoed by students who report that the absence of a principal frequently leads to disruptions in their daily class routines.
Local stakeholders and education officials attribute the prolonged vacancy to complex legal hurdles that delayed the promotion of assistant teachers to the head teacher rank. For several years, court proceedings effectively stalled the promotion process, while recruitment for new head teachers was simultaneously halted. This left senior assistant teachers to act as heads, struggling to maintain the standard of education while balancing administrative duties.
However, the deadlock appears to be nearing an end. Upazila Primary Education Officer Harunur Rashid confirmed that the legal barriers surrounding promotions have been resolved, clearing the path for the long-awaited appointment of permanent head teachers. He stated that the list of vacant positions has already been submitted to the Directorate of Primary Education. Officials expressed optimism that the upcoming appointments will stabilize school management, improve oversight, and restore the operational integrity of the region’s primary education system.
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