The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) in Bangladesh has issued a stern warning to government primary school teachers across the nation. According to recent directives, teachers may face a suspension of their salaries if their students fail to achieve basic literacy and numeracy skills by July 2026. This decision follows a series of virtual meetings held on April 27 and May 5, where MoPME Secretary Md. Sakhawat Hossain briefed District Primary Education Officers (DPEOs) on the urgent need for quality education.
The new policy focuses specifically on students in the third, fourth, and fifth grades. The Ministry has mandated that students must become fluent in reading both Bangla and English and proficient in basic mathematics, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. To facilitate this, teachers have been instructed to make students read aloud at least five pages of their textbooks every day. The move is aimed at breaking the cycle of rote learning and ensuring genuine comprehension among young learners.
According to the timeline provided by the Ministry, third-grade students must master Bangla reading by June, while fourth-graders are expected to become proficient in the four rules of mathematics within the same period. Fifth-grade students are targeted to reach 90% fluency in English reading by June, with a final goal of 100% proficiency for all specified grades by July. If these milestones are not met, the government plans to withhold the salaries of the responsible teachers as a measure of accountability.
DPEOs in various districts, including Thakurgaon, have already begun circulating formal letters to headteachers and assistant teachers detailing these requirements. Teachers are now required to submit a comprehensive educational plan by May 10, outlining how they intend to meet these targets. Secretary Sakhawat Hossain emphasized that ensuring students can read fluently is a priority for the current administration`s education goals. He noted that while the measures are strict, they are necessary to guarantee that every child receives a functional primary education.
While the directive has placed significant pressure on the teaching community, education officials argue that such high-stakes accountability is vital for improving the standards of public schools. Teachers are expected to work closely with individual students to bridge the learning gap caused by previous systemic delays. The Ministry intends to monitor the progress through surprise inspections and official assessments throughout the June-July period.
