MAILBOX

Teachers call off hunger strike

Finally, the hunger strike of non-MPO teachers has come to an end following the assurances of the Prime Minister. Now that the teachers have been assured that their demands will be met, they can resume taking classes after the sufferings of both the teachers and the students for the last six days. According to the teachers' federation, the number of non-MPO educational institutions is around 5,242 of which 80,000 teachers have been working outside the MPO for more than a decade. They have been living a life of hardship. Additionally, while it is the non-MPO enlisted teachers who have been covered by recent news, the conditions of MPO school teachers are not far better. Measures should be taken to bring approved institutions under the MPO scheme. We further hope the assurance given by the PM is implemented soon. The salary structures of both MPO and non-MPO teachers deserve an increment.

Nuzhat Rifa Ehsan

Baridhara, Dhaka

Unethical banking practices

This is in reference to the article "After 2017...what defines our banking sector?" by Eresh Omar Jamal published on January 5. The write-up is praiseworthy in attempting to cover the volatile banking sector. I would like to add another viewpoint—that of the grassroots level banking scenario.

So far, 56 commercial banks including 4 state-owned ones are operating in our small country. Every year, bank branches are mushrooming across the country without necessity. Most of the branches are opening in the commercial hub to make huge profits ignoring the need of rural and/or remote areas as a whole and of course, without any proper marketing assessment.

Newly opened branches are running with unhealthy and unethical competitive practices regarding deposits, investments and foreign exchange. They are avoiding standard norms and practices in the banking field. These banks are offering skyrocketing deposit rates that are risky for the banking sector in the long-term. Most banks charge service fees which are beyond clients' capacity and also charge without any proper justification. The regulatory authority, Bangladesh Bank, should curb these unethical practices sooner rather than later to avoid a total collapse of the banking sector.

Md Zillur Rahaman

Bhola

Stop slaying guest birds

Among the six seasons experienced in our country, winter is the most charming and elegant season. Many guest birds come to visit and make their residence in our country during the winter season. But sadly, we are slaying these birds who enhance our winters every year, alluring birdwatchers and nature lovers from around the country and world.

Many miscreants frequent the haunts of these birds and set traps. They hunt guest birds to sell or simply for amusement. Our laws about conservation are not strong. So, we should tighten our laws to suppress these rogues who are desecrating these natural habitats of visiting birds. Besides, we have to spread public awareness so that they can understand the importance of guest birds.

Naeem Ariyan

University of Chittagong