Initiative to increase festival allowance for MPO-registered teachers and staff to 60 percent

PNN News Desk, Dhaka 

The Ministry of Education has taken the initiative to increase the festival allowance for teachers and staff working in private educational institutions who are MPO-registered. It has been planned to add an additional 10 percent to the current allowance, raising it to 60 percent. Relevant departments have been instructed to submit the necessary proposals regarding this.

A source from the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education informed on Wednesday (March 4) that if the allowance is raised to 60 percent, the additional expenditure could be around 20–25 billion BDT. Detailed proposals have been requested from the concerned departments, including the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), to calculate the exact cost. Once the proposals are received, they will be verified and sent to the Ministry of Finance.

An unnamed official from the Ministry of Education said that efforts are underway to implement the increased festival allowance before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Departments have been urged to submit proposals quickly. Once the approval process is completed, the relevant teachers and staff are expected to receive additional benefits.

Previously, MPO-registered teachers received a festival allowance of 25 percent of their basic salary, and staff received 50 percent. Following last year’s protests, the teachers’ allowance was increased to 50 percent. If the new proposal is implemented, the festival allowance for both teachers and staff will equally reach 60 percent.

Insiders believe that if the proposal is approved, it will provide some financial relief for teachers and staff working in private educational institutions, especially in managing additional expenses during festivals.