Primary teacher recruitment: Women's quota abolished, new opportunities in music and physical education

Major changes have been made in the rules for hiring teachers in government primary schools. The new rules have abolished the separate quota for women and have set a new 7 percent quota. In addition, separate teacher posts have also been created in music and physical education.

Key points of the new rules

1. Type of recruitment:

93 percent of the posts directly employable in government primary schools will be merit-based.

The remaining 7 percent posts will be reserved as quotas.

2. Quota distribution:

For children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters and heroines: 5%

For candidates from small ethnic groups: 1%

For physically challenged and third gender candidates: 1%

It is noteworthy that if candidates are not found under the quota, the vacant posts will be filled on a merit-based basis.

3. Post creation and recruitment:

This time, separate assistant teacher posts have been created in music and physical education.

Recruitment will be based on upazila or thana.

Teachers can get appointment through promotion and direct recruitment.

Eligibility criteria:

Promotion: Must have at least 12 years of work experience and basic training for the post of Assistant Teacher or Assistant Teacher (Music/Physical Education).

Direct recruitment:

Must have a Bachelor's or Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognized university.

Third class or equivalent GPA in academic career is not acceptable.

Must pass written and oral examinations.

Reserved posts for science and other subjects:

For Bachelor's degree holders in science: 20%

For Bachelor's degree holders in other subjects: 80%

Comparison with old rules

In the previous 2019 rules:

60% quota for women

20% quota for men

20% in dependent quota

The old rules will be repealed as soon as the new rules come into effect.

Experts say

Education experts say that reducing the quota for women may affect the gender balance of primary school teachers.
However, the creation of new positions for music and physical education is a positive initiative.