Abu Sayeed Khan, the advisory editor of Daily Samakal, spoke today at the 13th National Conference of the Bangladesh Teachers Association (BTA) in 2025. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Feb 1, 2025 (BSS) - Daily Samakal advisory editor Abu Sayeed Khan today called for elimination of existing disparity in teachers' salaries by increasing budgetary allocation in education sector.

"If 20 percent of the total budget can be allocated to education sector, there will be a radical change in the education system and the disparity in teachers' salaries will be eliminated," he told the 13th National Conference, 2025 of Bangladesh Teachers Association (BTA).

The conference was organized with the demand of nationalization of secondary education as Dr. Mohammed Helal Uddin, professor of economics at Dhaka University and Executive Vice Chairman of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority spoke as the special guest.
 
BTA President Principal Md. Bazlur Rahman Mia chaired the programme which was moderated by its General Secretary Principal Sheikh Kawsar Ahmed.

Abu Sayeed Khan said Bangladesh lags behind in terms of budgetary allocation in education sector compared to other countries in South Asia.
 
Noting that education is the largest and most urgent sector, Abu Sayeed Khan said without education, a nation will remain in darkness.

"The disparity in the salaries of our teachers, who are the embodiment of education, is a very big social problem," he said.

He suggested creation of a single salary structure for all teachers in the country based on qualifications to eliminate the disparity of teachers. 

Uniform primary education, integrated, up-to-date and science-based education system is needed for the overall welfare of the country, he said. 

Helal Uddin said the people are suffering the consequences of the culture of looting enforced by the previous government everywhere, including the education sector.

He also underscored the need for making a fair salary structure for teachers.

BTA demanded full festival and medical allowances in addition to the nationalization of secondary education.