Dhaka: Amid a tug-of-war over MPO distributions, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid wrote to Prime Minister’s education adviser Dr. Alauddin Ahmed requesting him to finalize the list of the Monthly Payment Order for non-government academic institutions within a week.

PS to the education minister A.S Mahmud told banglanews24.com.bd that a letter from the minister was posted to education advisor’s office in this connection Tuesday.

The minister, in what sounded like a reminder, said around 1300 to 1400 teachers and employees would be deprived of government facilities if the MPO list is not finalized in due time.  

 “According to the direction of Prime Minister’s office, I requested you on May 16 to finalize the MPO list and send the governmental order. Relevant guidelines and necessary documents were also sent to you by the additional secretary (Administration & Finance) for education Golam Faruk,” reads the letter.

Besides, uncertainty has risen about getting the due payments of 1022 institutions this fiscal year as all activities of MPO list have gone under the disposal of the education adviser, amid controversies concerning the minister’s work on the list in which his home-district Sylhet outweighed others in the queue.

The current fiscal year for education sector will end by May 31. If the MPO-listed teachers are not paid in due time, the allocated Tk 112 crore would go back to the finance ministry, thereby creating difficulties for them.

In a recent circular the enlisted 1022 institutions were asked to submit the necessary papers regarding MPO enlistment to the Secondary and Higher Secondary education department within May 20.

The MPO list of non-government educational institutions was published on May 6 at late night. Later, ministers expressed discontent against the education minister’s judgment on this matter in a cabinet meeting on May 10.

In view of the circumstances, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the education minister to review the list. And eventually the PM adviser took over matter.  

BDST: 1100 am Hrs, May 19, 2010
UB/SA/AK/MUA