The Parliamentary Committee for education is unhappy with the policy of Monthly Payment Order (MPO). It has recommended some amendments to the existing policy in view of the country’s socio-economic and geographical position.
The committee has also recommended the inclusion of academic institutions in remote areas under the MPO system.
The committee has been informed of the need for additional finances in the current fiscal year to include technical and madrasas to the MPO system.
At the meet, it was stated that in the MPO policy, less developed areas of the country were not taken into consideration.
Due to some lapses in the policy, schools in particular areas got more attention while many others were completely left in the dark.
Parliamentary committee member, Fazle Hossain Badsha, said: “We are talking about MPO inclusion and feel that the policy is flawed given the country’s socio-economic conditions. Chances of pass rates between a developed and a less developed area will always be different and so, we have asked for it to be re-assessed.”
“We have asked deserving schools which were deprived to be included in the MPO. To analyse the MPO policy, a ten-member committee has been formed.”
Finance ministry has given Tk 8.65 billion to secondary and higher secondary education board for inclusion of new schools into the MPO system in the fiscal year 2019-20.
So far, 1,658 schools have been included in MPO. The total yearly expenditure will be Tk 4.56 billion which will leave Tk 4.09 billion. With this money, new schools can be included in the system. For schools under Madrasa Education Board, Tk 5.45 billion will be needed in the running year.