Teacher shortage in orphanage for girls

Shortage of teachers has been hampering the education of children in an orphanage for girls in the district for long, but the authorities concerned have not taken any steps to appoint teachers there.

The children in Al Na-Hiyan Shishu Paribar, an orphanage for girls run by Shaikh Jayed Bin Sultan Al Na-Hiyan Trust under the Ministry of Social Welfare, are suffering due to the situation.

An official of the orphanage said there are 157 students in the orphanage, of whom 87 are in primary school and 70 in high school. There are only four teachers against eight posts, and two of them are part time teachers. 

Many orphans told this correspondent that classes cannot be held regularly due to shortage of teachers, as a result they are falling behind in their studies. No one takes proper care of them as they are orphans, they said.

Part time teacher Arifa Khanam Ruma said she was appointed on February 7 in 2017 as part time teacher, but the authorities are yet to appoint her as permanent teacher.

“I was appointed here as part time teacher on May 26 this year, but I don't know how long I can continue the job if the authorities do not take make my job permanent,” said another part time teacher Abdul Hakim.

Head teacher Unus Ali told this correspondent that there are only two permanent teachers, himself and Anowar Hossain, for 87 primary students. “Beside the official work, I also take classes,” he said, adding that he asked the authorities many times to appoint teachers, but they did not respond.

Superintendent of the orphanage Abu Taher Md Basher told this correspondent that the students of high school level are taught in other schools outside the orphanage due to shortage of teachers. “Due to shortage of fund of the trust, it is not possible to appoint teachers as per required,” he said.

The children of the orphanage urged the authorities to appoint teachers for ensuring their education.