SC Clears Path for Appointment of 6,531 Primary Teachers

A three-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, issued the order after hearing a leave-to-appeal petition filed by the state against the High Court’s verdict.

On February 6, the High Court bench, consisting of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Raji, had canceled the recruitment process, which had been initiated for appointing the 6,531 candidates as assistant teachers.

In response, the Directorate of Primary Education filed an appeal petition on February 18, challenging the High Court’s decision. The Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division set March 2 for a hearing of the petition.

The government had issued a circular on June 14, 2023, for the recruitment of assistant teachers for primary schools in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions. On October 31, 2023, the government announced the final results of the recruitment test, declaring 6,531 candidates successful.

However, 30 candidates filed a petition with the High Court, questioning the legality of the recruitment process following the abolition of the job quota system. After an initial hearing on November 19, the court stayed the recruitment process for six months and issued a rule questioning the legality of the appointments.

The Directorate of Primary Education, in turn, appealed the ruling to the Appellate Division, which has now lifted the stay, allowing the appointment process to continue.