Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar has dismissed the demand to upgrade the pay scale of assistant teachers in government primary schools from 13th to 10th grade, calling it “illogical and impractical.”

Speaking to reporters after a views exchange at the Khulna District Shilpakala Academy on Saturday, November 8, Dr Poddar said the existing structure does not support such an abrupt jump in grade.

“The post of assistant teacher is currently in the 13th grade. There is no reason to bring it to the 10th grade all at once,” he said. “Most assistant teachers also believe the demand for the 10th grade is not logical.”

He added that while head teachers have been promoted to the 10th grade, the large number of assistant teachers makes a similar upgrade for all of them financially and administratively unfeasible.

“We are working so that they can receive the 11th grade instead,” he said. “It’s not reasonable for them to go on a movement at this time.”

Dr Poddar also clarified the ministry’s stance on promotions, saying that the Ministry of Public Administration has advised against allowing 100 per cent promotion from assistant teacher to head teacher in line with government policy.

“That’s why we have raised the promotion quota from 65 per cent to 80 per cent, while the remaining 20 per cent of head teacher posts will be filled through direct recruitment,” he explained.

Earlier in the day, Dr Poddar presided over a view-sharing meeting titled “The Role of Education Stakeholders in Improving the Quality of Primary Education.”

Officials from the ministry, divisional and district administrations, and the education department attended the session. Teachers were also given guidance on moral, practical, and co-curricular education initiatives aimed at enhancing teaching standards.