Describing the monthly pay order (MPO) scheme for non-government educational institutions as a ‘bad programme’, Finance Minister AMA Muhith has asked to consider whether to continue it.
Addressing the parliament on Tuesday, he said the 2018-19 budget has set aside funds for including new institutions in the scheme.
“However, I have something to say, MPO inclusion of institutions is a bad programme,” he said in response to a query from Bangladesh Tarikat Federation’s Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary.
According to Muhith, a scheme that pays salaries for some teachers and staff cannot contribute to the development of education.
“Stipends and school-feeding programmes work better. Why don’t you (MPs) pay more attention to these? Why do you try to include more institutions in MPO?” asked the octogenarian minister.
Under the MPO scheme, the state pays basic salaries of teachers and employees of listed educational institutions recommended by lawmakers.
Muhith said that the education minister has been able to lower the number dupery incidents in MPO scheme.
“But it’s not a good programme. This is my opinion. Now it’s for you to consider,” he told MPs.