(BSS) - Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today said the government is actively considering the issue of granting higher grade in pay scale to primary school teachers.

He said this while speaking to journalists in the conference room of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education at the Secretariat.

The adviser said around 65,000 headmasters of primary schools across the country have already been upgraded to the 10th grade in the pay scale. The government is also sincerely considering the matter of providing higher grade to assistant teachers.

He said teachers do not need to hold any movement to receive gradation. Moreover, a final meeting on the matter was recently held with nine organizations and all of them welcomed the government`s decision, he added.

Dr Bidhan said that under the supervision of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the management of the National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE), the Diploma in Primary Education (DPEd) programme will be launched from January 2026.

The programme will be introduced on a pilot basis in 12 Primary Teachers Training Institutes (PTIs) across the country.

He said the PTIs are: Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, Barishal, Mymensingh, Jashore, Cumilla, Joydebpur, Dinajpur, and Bogura.

The duration of the programme will be 10 months and it will be non-residential and conducted in the afternoon session, he said.

The adviser said that any permanent citizen of Bangladesh can apply for this programme. Applicants must have a bachelor`s or bachelor`s (honours) or equivalent degree with at least a second division or equivalent GPA/CGPA (minimum 2.25 on a 4-point scale and minimum 2.8 on a 5-point scale) from any recognized university.

However, any third division or class or equivalent GPA/CGPA at any stage of academic life will not be accepted, he said adding interested candidates may apply for the course upon payment of the prescribed fee.

He said that applicants must participate in an admission test organized by NAPE`s DPEd Board. A 50-mark multiple-choice admission test will be held (subjects: Bangla, English, Mathematics and General Knowledge; duration: 50 minutes).

Successful candidates will be admitted to the respective PTIs based on merit lists, subject to fulfilling admission conditions, he said.

He said the DPEd programme will have a total assessment of 1200 marks. Its total credit load will be 35, and the 10-month programme will be conducted in two semesters.

The adviser said the programme will include theoretical subjects such as Introduction to Education and Educational Philosophy, Child Development and Learning, Teaching Methods, Strategies and Classroom Management, Curriculum and Learning Materials, Learning Assessment and Feedback, Language Skills Development (Bangla & English), Mathematical and Scientific Skill Development, ICT in Education, Social Skill Development, Ethics and Value Formation, Physical and Mental Health Education and Creative Arts.

For hands-on practice, there will be simulation sessions, school-based practice, and reflective exercises, he said.

The adviser said this programme will enrich students in multiple dimensions. By learning educational philosophy, teaching strategies, and assessment frameworks, they will become skilled and modern teachers.

Their research and analytical abilities will improve, which will play an effective role in their future professional lives, he said.

After completing the programme, students will become confident and responsible teachers, contributing positively to their career development and society as a whole, he said.