Education Adviser Prof Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar has announced that the interim government is set to finalise the MPO (Monthly Payment Order) enlistment of more than 2,600 educational institutions across the country, including general and technical institutions.

“We are finalising the list of over 2600 educational institutions across the country for MPO registration,” he said during an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at his ministry office of Bangladesh Secretariat here today.

 As part of the government move, the Education Adviser further stated that Tk200 crore has been allocated in the current fiscal year to include non-MPO educational institutions under MPO coverage.

 “Of the amount, Tk50 crore has been set aside for other expenses, including increased rent and bonuses,” he said.

 The government is also reviewing cases of institutions that failed to be included in the MPO process despite repeated applications and eligibility.

 He reiterated that the objective of the MPO expansion is to advance the country in the field of technology.

 “Therefore, special attention is being given to institutions promoting technical education that remain outside MPO registration,” he said.

 He emphasised the need for political parties to prioritize technical education as part of their policy decisions.

 The Education Adviser said that if political parties jointly make the commitment that they would continue the MPO enrollment process and work to improve the status of teachers when they assume power, they should declare it publicly now.

 He added that the government is trying to take steps to ease tensions and allow agitating teachers to return home.

 A public declaration from political parties would reassure teachers that a broader national consensus has been reached on this issue, he also said.

 Earlier in this afternoon, an important meeting was held with the Non-MPO Oikya Parishad at the ministry in which the Education Adviser chaired. Top leaders from various political parties of the country were present at the meeting.

 Among the attendees were Chairman of the Teachers-Workers Unity Alliance and BNP Central Organising Secretary Principal Md Selim Bhuiyan, Nayeb-e-Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Prof Mujibur Rahman, Convener of the Gono Songhoti Andolon Zonayed Saki, Assistant general secretary of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal Rajequzzaman Ratan, Dhaka South City General Secretary of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Md Shafiqul Islam Masud, President of the Education Department of Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party Prof Omar Faruk, Organising Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Maulana Md Faisal and leaders of several other political parties.