DCs instructed to prevent corruption in educational institutions: Wahiduddin

Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud has said deputy commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to oversee the prevention of corruption in educational institutions.

To this end, instructions have been given to DCs to form committees in educational institutions, he told the media after a discussion on the first day of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Conference 2025 in Dhaka yesterday.  

"Retired government employees, teachers, and respected local figures should be included in those committees so that teachers do not face problems in recruitment or work," he said.

Wahiduddin also revealed that a circular from the now mandates that those on school management boards must have at least a Bachelor's degree, while board members for colleges must hold a Master's degree.

Regarding textbook distribution, he assured that all students will receive textbooks by the end of this month.

The adviser also mentioned that initiatives have been taken to pay teachers' outstanding allowances online.

"The amount of money required to pay retirement benefits is very insufficient. There should have been Tk6,000 or Tk7,000 crore to provide retirement benefits. It is difficult to arrange so much money even in the budget. So a fund will be formed by issuing bonds," he said.

Wahiduddin said the benefits of teachers will be increased in the next budget. Although there are some deficiencies in infrastructure, initiative has been taken to improve the quality of education, he said. 

Wahiduddin, also the planning adviser, said there are many difficulties in implementing local development projects. 

"Contractors have fled after taking money. There are no local public representatives. In such a situation, instructions have been given to the DCs to appoint contractors to implement public welfare projects on their own initiative."

In addition, they have been asked to inform the relevant ministry or the Ministry of Planning if any unfinished project needs to be finished.

He stated that many development projects were dropped due to political considerations, while several new projects were initiated in January. 

The DCs have been instructed to oversee these new projects, he added.

Stating that DCs are a powerful tool for holding fair elections, Wahiduddin said it is their responsibility to know how to conduct fair elections.

5,000 doctors to be recruited

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum also present at the conference instructed DCs to ensure the implementation of health-related laws to combat the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 

These include hypertension, diabetes, and smoking-related health issues among minors, she said. 

Additionally, illegal hospitals, clinics, and the proliferation of counterfeit or substandard medicines are contributing to significant public harm, added the adviser.

Meanwhile, after the first session of the conference, Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser, told the media that 5,000 doctors will be recruited to fill vacant posts.

"The ministry has identified the need for over 5,000 doctors in entry-level positions along with the need for specialists in modern hospitals. The process of creating these positions has already begun including addressing shortages at union levels and in medical colleges," he said.

Besides, he said they are considering replacing the ICUs that were established during the pandemic to ensure their continued effectiveness.