|| Aziz Al Zaman, Rangpur: The government is taking an initiative to introduce a special allowance for teachers working in schools located in char and remote areas, considering the distance they have to travel and the difficulties they face in commuting, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said.The allowance structure will be determined by assessing the location of individual schools, commuting distance, transport and communication facilities, and the degree of remoteness of the areas, he said.The State Minister made the remarks while briefing journalists after a day-long training workshop at the Primary Teachers’ Training Institute (PTI) auditorium in Rangpur on Sunday afternoon.The workshop, titled “Classroom Activities, Monitoring, Accountability and Reform of the Administrative Structure in Primary Education in Bangladesh,” was organised by the Primary Education Office under the Rangpur Divisional Deputy Director’s Office. Officials involved in primary education administration from across the division attended the programme.Speaking about the proposed remote-area allowance, Bobby Hajjaj said there is a need to redefine which areas should genuinely be considered remote and what special benefits should be provided to teachers and officials serving there.Remote locations will be identified by assessing the actual situation on the ground with assistance from local administrations, he said.Field-level opinions and recommendations will be collected in writing and compiled before being sent to the relevant authorities. Future decisions regarding the allowance will be taken on the basis of those recommendations, the State Minister added.On reforming primary education administration, Hajjaj said responsibilities, decision-making powers and accountability at every administrative level must be clearly defined to establish an effective leadership structure.He stressed the need to strengthen the ability of field-level officials to make quick and appropriate decisions based on the realities they face.He also underscored the importance of maintaining an integrated system of discipline and coordination from the divisional level down to individual schools.“Ultimately, every activity of the primary education administration must reach the school and the classroom,” he said, adding that the benefits of administrative reform must be directly visible in children’s learning environments.The State Minister also announced plans to introduce a ‘Science Toy’ programme in primary schools through a pilot project from next year.The initiative is intended to develop children’s scientific mindset, creativity and problem-solving skills through play-based and hands-on learning, he said.At the same time, eight sports activities will be made compulsory under the new primary education curriculum to ensure the physical and mental development of children.The State Minister warned of strict action against the practice of using proxy teachers to conduct classes in primary schools.He said no irregularity or negligence of duty would be tolerated in ensuring teachers’ attendance at schools and regular teaching in classrooms.Hajjaj urged every teacher to perform their responsibilities properly to ensure quality education for students.The workshop was chaired by Rangpur Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Shariful Alam.Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shaheena Ferdousi, Director (Administration) Mohammad Kamrul Hasan and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Israt Jahan attended the programme as special guests. The divisional deputy director, district primary education officers from all districts of Rangpur division, upazila primary education officers, assistant upazila primary education officers, PTI superintendents, UPTC instructors and other officials involved in primary education administration were also present.