In Daganbhulya Upazila of Feni, out of 102 primary schools, 30 schools do not have a headmaster and 55 assistant teacher positions remain vacant. As a result, the classes are being run with makeshift arrangements. This has severely disrupted the education of students, leaving them at a disadvantage.

According to sources from the Upazila Primary Education Office, among the 102 government primary schools, 30 do not have headmasters, and 55 assistant teacher positions are vacant. Additionally, out of 13 positions in the Upazila Education Office, five remain unfilled, affecting teaching and other activities. In these schools, due to the absence of headmasters, assistant teachers are also performing the duties of acting headmasters while continuing their regular duties, making it difficult for them to manage both roles.

As a result, primary school students are falling behind in their education. Teachers and parents believe that to ensure the quality of education, the positions of headmasters in these schools should be filled immediately.

Several assistant teachers from at least four or five schools, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned that due to the absence of headmasters, assistant teachers are not always present at the schools, which is disrupting the educational activities. Additionally, this situation is causing internal conflicts among the teachers. Mohammad Jasim Uddin, the acting headmaster of Batsiri Government Primary School, said, “The headmaster’s position has been va cant at my school for a long time. Currently, I am managing both school and office duties, which is becoming overwhelming, making it difficult to handle both the teaching and administrative tasks.”

Rahima Begum Renu, the acting headmaster of Chundarpur Government Primary School, shared, “I have been serving as the acting headmaster for almost two years now. Moreover, with the assistant teacher positions vacant, I am facing a lot of difficulties in managing everything.”

Mohammad Yasin, the president of the Daganbhulya Primary Teachers Association and headmaster of Purbo Chandrapur Government Primary School, emphasized, “Due to the vacancies of 30 headmaster and 55 assistant teacher positions, teaching and administrative work are severely disrupted. We urgently request the relevant authorities to fill these positions as soon as possible.”

Masudur Rahman, president of the Daganbhulya Upazila Primary Assistant Teachers Association, stated, “The government has declared the position of headmaster as a second-class post, but it has not yet been implemented. Promotions for teachers have been stalled for 10 years. The vacant headmaster positions will be filled by promoting assistant teachers.”

The Ministry of Education, Primary Education Department, and the office of the District Education Officer are facing challenges in determining who will grant these promotions. Due to this, the vacant positions have not been filled, which is causing damage to the affected schools.

Saiful Rahman, the Upazila Education Officer of Daganbhulya, confirmed the vacancies, stating, “Out of the 30 headmaster and 55 assistant teacher positions, and 13 office posts, five are vacant, disrupting the education activities. These vacant positions will be filled through promotions. The process is underway, and we expect the vacancies to be filled soon. We have also applied to the relevant authorities for the immediate filling of office positions.”

S.M. Azharul Islam, the President of the Upazila Education Committee and Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said, “I am aware of the teacher shortage in the Upazila. From what I know, about 30 schools do not have headmasters, and 55 assistant teacher positions, along with five vacant office posts, remain unfilled. This is negatively affecting the quality of education. If teachers are appointed to these vacant positions quickly, the educational activities can be restored, and we will address this issue in collaboration with higher authorities.”