Special Quota for Women Abolished in Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment; New Rules Retain 7 Percent

The special quota for women in government primary school teacher recruitment has been abolished. Under the new regulations, 93% of the positions will be merit-based, while the remaining 7% will be reserved as quotas: 5% for children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters, and Birangonas; 1% for candidates from small ethnic communities; and 1% for candidates with physical disabilities or from the third gender. Separate positions have also been created for music and physical education subjects.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued a notification on Thursday (28 August) implementing the Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment Rules, 2025, which will take immediate effect. The notification states that if qualified candidates are not available under the quotas, the vacant positions will be filled based on merit.

Recruitment will be conducted at the upazila or, in some cases, thana level, with opportunities for direct recruitment and promotion. Under the new rules, 20% of positions are reserved for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in science, while 80% are for candidates with degrees in other subjects. Separate positions have also been created for music and physical education subjects.

Previously, the 2019 regulations had reserved 60% of positions for women in government primary school assistant teacher recruitment. With the implementation of the new rules, the 2019 regulations will be repealed.