The quality of secondary education in Bangladesh largely depends on the qualifications and experience of the teachers. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the distribution, qualification, and salary of secondary school teachers in Bangladesh. In this blog post, I will delve into this issue, drawing upon the latest data from various sources.
Distribution of Secondary School Teachers in Bangladesh
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS), there were 536,634 secondary school teachers in the country as of 2020. Out of them, 246,112 were male, and 290,522 were female, which means that female teachers constitute more than half (54.1%) of the total secondary school teachers in Bangladesh.
The distribution of secondary school teachers varies significantly between divisions. Dhaka division has the highest number of secondary school teachers (102,188), followed by Chittagong division (75,839), and Rajshahi division (69,382). On the other hand, Rangpur division has the lowest number of secondary school teachers (38,559), followed by Barisal division (41,828).
Qualification of Secondary School Teachers in Bangladesh
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS), Ministry of Education, the total number of secondary school teachers in Bangladesh is 536,634, out of which 58.9% hold a graduate degree (Grade 14), 29.1% hold a postgraduate degree (Grade 15), 2.8% hold an M.Phil/Ph.D. degree (Grade 16), and 9.2% have other qualifications.
The distribution of teachers by qualification varies across the different divisions of Bangladesh. Dhaka division has the highest number of secondary school teachers with a graduate degree (59,238) and the highest number with other qualifications (8,856). On the other hand, Chittagong division has the second-highest number of teachers with a graduate degree (41,463) and the second-highest number with other qualifications (7,973).
In terms of postgraduate degree holders, Dhaka division again tops the list with 30,957 teachers holding a postgraduate degree. Khulna division has the second-highest number of teachers with a postgraduate degree (17,478).
Meanwhile, Rajshahi division has the highest number of teachers holding an M.Phil/Ph.D. degree (1,959), followed by Chittagong division (2,642).
The table below summarizes the distribution of secondary school teachers in Bangladesh by qualification and division.
Salary of Secondary School Teachers in Bangladesh
The salary structure of secondary school teachers in Bangladesh is based on the National Pay Scale (NPS). The monthly salary of secondary school teachers varies depending on their qualifications, experience, and the location of the school. According to the latest NPS (2015), the salary of secondary school teachers ranges from BDT 12,500 (Grade 14, Entry-level Graduate teacher) to BDT 78,000 (Grade 16, Senior M.Phil/Ph.D. teacher).
However, it is important to note that the salary of secondary school teachers in Bangladesh is relatively low compared to their counterparts in other countries. According to a study by the World Bank, the average salary of secondary school teachers in Bangladesh is only 40% of the average salary of teachers in other South Asian countries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the distribution, qualification, and salary of secondary school teachers in Bangladesh vary significantly between divisions. While the number of female teachers has increased over the years, the number of M.Phil/Ph.D. teachers is still very low. Furthermore, the salary of secondary school teachers in Bangladesh is relatively low compared to other countries in the region. Therefore, it is essential to improve the quality of secondary education in Bangladesh by providing better training, support, and incentives to secondary school teachers.