HC order cancelling appointment of 6,531 teachers stayed

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has stayed a High Court (HC) verdict that cancelled the government decision to recruit 6,531 candidates as assistant teachers at government primary schools in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

A three-member Appellate Division bench led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam passed the order on Monday (March 3), allowing a leave to appeal petition filed by Directorate of Primary Education.

As a result of this verdict, 6,531 candidates can now join as assistant teachers.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman represented the state while Barrister Muntasir Uddin Ahmed stood for Directorate of Primary Education in the hearing. Senior jurists Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar, Barrister Salauddin Dolon, Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun argued for the teachers.

Earlier on February 6, the HC bench consisting of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Raji, cancelled the process of appointing 6, 531 candidates as assistant teachers of government primary schools.

Challenging the HC order, the Directorate of Primary Education filed an appeal petition on February 18.

The Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division fixed March 2 for hearing the petition. Later, hearing date was rescheduled on March 3.

On June 14 in 2023, the government issued a circular for recruiting assistant teachers for the primary schools in both divisions.

On October 31 last year, the government published the final results of the recruitment test declaring 6, 531 candidates as successful.

Later, 30 candidates submitted a petition with the HC challenging the legality of the recruitment following the abolition of the job quota system.

After the primary hearing on November 19, the court stayed the recruitment process for six months.

Moreover, the court issued a rule asking as to why the recruitment process should not be declared illegal.

Challenging the order, the Directorate of Primary Education submitted a leave-to-appeal with the Appellate Division.

The court upheld the HC order and ordered to settle the petition within January 25.