Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon. File photo

DHAKA, Aug 15, 2026 (BSS) - Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said that, following the Prime Minister’s directive, the government has begun paying arrears of retirement benefits and welfare allowances to more than 70,000 teachers across the country.

He made the remarks today at the inauguration of the distribution of funds under the Retirement Benefits and Welfare Trust for private teachers and employees at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

Milon said, “On this special day, our Desh Mata, Begum Khaleda Zia, was born. And on this auspicious day, we are going to wipe away the tears of thousands of teachers who have been waiting for years for their overdue benefits.”

He said that, under the guidance of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, around Taka 2,100 crore has been allocated to provide these benefits to a large number of teachers and employees across the country.

Citing statistics, the minister said, “Today, the retirement benefits of 70,019 teachers and the welfare benefits of 53,000 teachers are being transferred directly to their accounts simultaneously across the country. Today’s initiative will remain an important chapter in the administrative history of the education sector.”

Referring to the achievements of the government during its first 180 days, Dr Milon said, “During the first 180 days of the present government, the Education Ministry has taken several significant initiatives. Due to the short time available, some plans could not be fully completed, and those will be implemented gradually in the days ahead.”

Senior officials of the Private Teachers and Employees Welfare Trust and the Retirement Benefits Board, educationists and teacher representatives from across the country attended the programme.