VCs warn of unrest over eighth pay scale
Vice-Chancellors of different public universities have warned of unrest if the government went ahead with the implementation of the eighth pay scale, claiming that they have been kept deprived in it in several ways. The eighth pay scale has nothing in it for the Vice-Chancellors (VC), they said.
The Vice-Chancellors met Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid at his office in the secretariat with their complaints yesterday. A memorandum incorporating their four-point demand was handed over to the Education Minister by Prof Dr Md Alauddin, Vice-Chancellor of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, on behalf of other VCs.
Teachers expect a little bit more in the eighth pay scale than the seventh. Otherwise, its difficult. Teachers should be given respect along with a good salary, said Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, VC of Dhaka University.
Their four-point demands include implementation of the demands made by the Federation of the Bangladesh University Teachers Association; ensuring the highest facilities for VCs; introduction of a separate pay scale for university teachers and ensuring the position of VCs and teachers in the warrant of precedence in accordance with the expected pay scale.
Expressing their state of deprivation and regret at the state of affairs, the top academicians said that very often, they get confused over the seat they should take during official programmes as it is never defined. However, separate space is allocated for administrative people, they told the Education Minister.
The teachers are not only humiliated in papers but also in practical life. When we go to attend a programme, we get confused where we will sit as our seat is not defined, said Prof Farzana Islam, VC of Jahangirnagar University.
After hearing the complaints of the Vcs, the minister said that their demands will be considered but nothing had been finalised yet.
If the 8th pay scale is implemented, the universities will turn into a field of movement. Teachers, students and administration will be involved in it, said Professor Muhammad Nizamuddin, VC of Rajshahi University.
Professor AKM Nurunnabi, VC of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur pointed to a discrepancy in the salaries of a Professor and a Secretary. Is it a conspiracy to devalue us? he asked.
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Fayek Uzzaman, VC of Khulna University warned of a movement if the current state of affairs continued. It has become difficult for us to honestly defray the expenses of our families.
Prof Dr M Wahiduzzaman, VC of Noakhali Science and Technology University, strongly desisted the humiliation faced by teachers in the country. Why should teachers be humiliated? If they are humiliated, the whole country will be let down, he said.
