Interim government is considering a shift to percentage-based house rent allowances for public employees in line with demands from teachers, Education Adviser Professor CR Abrar said on Thursday (October 16).

Speaking at a press conference at the Education Ministry in Dhaka on the publication of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examination results, Abrar said the government is “respectful and sensitive” to teachers’ concerns and is examining options “in keeping with fiscal realities.” 

He said that teacher groups have proposed, among other points, raising the percentage-based house rent by 20 percent, while ongoing discussions include a possible 5 percent adjustment and a minimum increase of Tk 2,000, subject to the government’s financial capacity.

Abrar, a retired professor of international relations at the University of Dhaka and currently serving as education adviser in the interim administration, added that recommendations of a new pay commission are expected to move the sector toward “a more dignified” salary structure next year. 

Emphasising that “teachers are the lifeblood of our education system,” Abrar said the authorities are also working to modernise professional development and training, arguing that respect and capability matter alongside pay. 

He framed the ministry’s approach around three principles—facing realities, prioritising learning quality over numerical outcomes, and strengthening accountability—saying the latest results should be read as “a return to truth,” with the government listening and taking responsibility for reforms aimed at an honest, learning-focused system.

Education Secretary Rehana Parveen, who attended the briefing alongside other officials, said the ministry has already written to the Finance Ministry regarding the teachers’ demands and is “working around the clock” despite the finance adviser and secretary being abroad. She said the government is inviting stakeholders to talks and that moving from lump-sum allocations to a percentage-based approach marks progress. 

A national pay scale is expected “soon,” which she said should have a positive impact, while cautioning that visible effects will take some time. Parveen was appointed secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division last month. 

The press conference was convened to announce that this year’s HSC and equivalent results would be released on October 16. 

SMS/