The University Grants Commission (UGC) has echoed varsity teachers’ demand for a separate pay scale in a recommendation sent to President Md Abdul Hamid, also the Chancellor of universities.

UGC laid out their recommendations for a separate pay scale in their ‘44th Annual Report-2017’, which was handed to the president on Oct 18.

In 2015, public varsity teachers demonstrated alleging that their status was downgraded in the Eighth Pay Scale and demanded a separate pay structure and revision of their pay structure.

In December the same year, the government formed a pay structure reviewing panel following a 5-straight months of protests that saw students joining the teachers.

Later that month, the government issued a gazette notification scrapping selection grade and time scales in the national pay structure, which the teachers deemed as restoration of their dignity.

The UGC annual report says that the teachers can be brought under a separate pay structure along with other facilities for elevating standard of higher education. Facilities, including financial incentives should be made available for teachers and researchers, it suggests.

The report further recommended that necessary steps can be taken to appoint teachers permanently at higher posts in public and private universities.

Steps should also be taken so that expert teachers feels encouraged to teach at new universities, it reads.

UGC officials said that the elevating the standard of higher education depends on university teachers.

More students will be enthusiastic to join the profession, if more incentives are given and more opportunities are created for research which will eventually raise the standard of higher education, they added.

Dhaka University Teachers Forum President Professor Dr Maksud Kamal made similar comments before adding that they are aware of the UGC’s recommendation which was the continuation of their long-time called for a separate pay scale.