Rajshahi, July 22 (V7N) – At least 40 government primary schools in Charghat Upazila of Rajshahi are currently functioning without officially appointed head teachers, according to data from the Upazila Primary Education Office. In addition, head teacher appointments in seven other schools are entangled in ongoing legal disputes, further straining school management and academic quality.
 
Charghat Upazila consists of six unions and houses 73 government primary schools. Each school has a sanctioned position for a head teacher. Of these, only 26 positions are currently filled. Seven schools are involved in court cases regarding the head teacher post, while the remaining 40 are running under the leadership of assistant teachers assigned with additional responsibilities.
 
These schools collectively serve nearly 18,000 students, with about 453 teachers in total. However, 10 teaching positions also remain vacant despite having government approval.
 
Acting head teachers from several schools—including Bankishore Government Primary School, Shimulia Primary School, Dakra Primary School, Bankra Primary School, Budirhat Government Primary School, Poranpur Government Primary School, and Jagirpara Government Primary School—report that juggling both academic and administrative duties significantly disrupts the teaching process.
 
They noted that in the absence of a full-time head teacher, a faculty member must simultaneously act as the administrative lead, which makes regular classroom teaching more difficult. When administrative responsibilities require travel to the Upazila Education Office, other teachers have to step in to cover classes. While officially designated acting head teachers receive a Tk 1,500 monthly allowance, those handling the role informally receive no financial compensation.
 
Parents have expressed growing frustration, saying many schools lack proper leadership. They noted that acting teachers are often unable to make prompt decisions, and the ongoing teacher shortage is impacting the quality of their children’s education.
 
Upazila Education Officer Mostafizur Rahman Talukder confirmed that the issue has persisted for several months. “We have informed higher authorities,” he said. “Once recruitment is completed, the situation is expected to improve.”
 
The prolonged shortage of school leadership highlights larger structural challenges in teacher appointment processes. Without swift government action, a significant number of young students may continue to face disruption in both learning and school administration.
 
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