House Rent Allowance Cannot Be Increased Beyond 5 Percent for Teachers and Staff: Education Adviser

The government has agreed to raise the house rent allowance for MPO-listed (Monthly Pay Order) teachers and staff of private institutions by only 5 percent of their basic salary (with a minimum of 2,000 BDT), in response to a protest demanding a 20 percent increase (minimum 3,000 BDT) among three key demands. However, the protesting teachers and staff have made it clear they will not accept this offer under any circumstances.

On Thursday (16 October), Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar (C R Abrar), Education Adviser, announced this decision to the press following a meeting with representatives of the protesting teachers and staff at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

He stated, “The Ministry of Finance has informed us that a 5 percent house rent allowance, with a minimum of 2,000 taka, can be provided from 1 November. Due to the current budget deficit, offering more is not feasible.” He further added, “We will recommend an increase in house rent allowance in the next fiscal year’s budget, but for now, providing 10 percent is not possible.”

The teachers’ and staff organisation, MPObhukto Shikkha Jatiyokoron Protyashi Jote (Alliance for the Nationalisation of MPO-Listed Education), has rejected the government’s proposal. They are demanding a 10 percent house rent allowance increase this year, along with a commitment for an additional 10 percent increase in the next fiscal year.

Rehana Parvin, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, who was present at the meeting, said, “Our calculations show that by setting a minimum of 2,000 taka, around 90 percent of the teachers and staff will effectively receive a 10 percent house rent allowance.”

The Education Adviser further commented, “This is beyond our jurisdiction. Had there been available funds, we would certainly have done more. But under the current budget constraints, it is simply not possible to increase the allowance beyond 5 percent.” He also noted that the upcoming Pay Commission may provide an opportunity to revisit the house rent allowance issue.

It is worth noting that last Sunday, the MPObhukto Shikkha Jatiyokoron Protyashi Jote held a sit-in programme in front of the National Press Club in the capital to press for their three demands. The police dispersed the protest using baton charges and sound grenades. Following this, the demonstrators staged further protests at the Shaheed Minar and blocked Shahbagh. On Thursday, they announced a new protest programme titled ‘Long March to Jamuna’.

In continuation of the protests, the representatives met with the Education Adviser today and firmly rejected the government’s offer of a 5 percent increase.