The move comes a year after three children and three staff were killed in a school shooting in Nashville. The bill will now be sent to Republican Governor Bill Lee for consideration. Lawmakers in the US state of Tennessee passed a law on Tuesday that would allow teachers to carry concealed guns in schools. The bill passed 68-28 vote in Tennessee's Republican-dominated legislature, as protesters shouted from the visitors gallery, "Blood on your hands."  It will now be sent for consideration by Governor Bill Lee, a Republican. "What you're doing is you're creating a deterrent," said Republican State Representative Ryan Williams, who sponsored the bill. "Across our state, we have had challenges as it relates to shootings." All Democrats plus four Republicans voted against the proposal. "My Republican colleagues continue to hold our state hostage, hold our state at gunpoint to appeal to their donors in the gun industry," said Democratic State Representative Justin Jones. "It is morally insane." What does the bill allow? The law would require any person wishing to carry a concealed handgun inside a school to complete at least 40 hours of training in school policing, as well as an additional 40 hours of training per year. School leaders must give approval for an individual to carry a gun, and local law enforcement must be informed of the person's identity. About half of all states in the US allow teachers or other school staff to carry firearms on school grounds, according to the Giffords Law Center, a gun safety group. School shootings have becoming increasingly common tragedy in recent years. The Tennessee bill comes a little more than a year after an assailant shot dead three children and three staff at a Nashville elementary school.  

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education, Rumana Ali said that the recruitment of 10,000 primary teachers will be completed by June this year.  She said this while visiting Comilla Victoria Government College center in the third phase of primary teacher recruitment examination of Dhaka and Chattogram divisions. Rumana Ali said that the ministry is on high alert so that no applicant can cheat.  All measures have been taken for a fair exam. However, In the third phase of primary teacher recruitment examination 32,199 candidates are taking part in Cumilla district. Of them, 14,767 are female and 17,432 are male candidates.

At least 46 people have been killed in a massive fire that broke out at a multi-storey commercial building on Bailey Road in the capital. A teacher and 12 students were reported dead. The fire broke out at a multi-storey building on Bailey Road in the capital around 9:50pm on Thursday ( Feb 29 ). So far 46 people have died.  In addition, at least 22 people were seriously burnt. It is feared that the death toll may increase further as none of them is out of danger.  

A late-night candlelight march was conducted in Srinagar on Friday to protest the recent targeted killing of seven Shia school teachers in Pakistan. "Mulsim leaders across the world should come forward and condemn such dastardly acts of terrorism. We also condemn any attempts to associate terrorism with Islam. We also condemn terrorism anywhere in the world," a participant at the protest organised by the Shia community here said. On Thursday, Tehreek-e-Taliban, an umbrella group of several Sunni Muslim terrorist groups, claimed responsibility for killing the Shia teachers in a government-run school in Pakistan. Seven teachers were killed in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. On Friday, The protestors at Srinagar's Alamgari Bazar, Zadibal area blamed the Pakistan Government for the killings since it has not taken any steps to stop such killings yet. "Today we have gathered here to protest against the killings of seven Shai teachers. We stand in solidarity with them," a participant in the protest said."Pakistani government is behind the attacks. Today we have gathered to show that we stand strong with the Shias of Pakistan," he said. During a press conference held on Friday, Jamiat Ulema Isna Asharia Kargil (JUAIK) Ladakh condemned the attack on Shia minorities in Pakistan and urged authorities to take action against perpetrators. The press conference was addressed by President JUAIK Ladakh, Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Mohammadi who said that the persecution of Shia Muslims of Pakistan is not a new thing whether its Quetta or any other place, the killers of Shias are known and roaming free. He further said that when the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is in India to attend SCO Summit it's their demand to the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take up the issue with his counterpart and urged them to take action against those terrorists. According to local police, unidentified gunmen shot the teachers in the staffroom of Government High School Tari Mangal, as per news report. All the teachers were present in the building and were carrying out their exam duties at the time of the incident. The authorities have imposed emergency in all the hospitals in the region. In another incident in the Parachinar region of Upper Kurram, a school teacher was killed while he was travelling in a car on Shalozan Road. The incident took the total number of teachers killed in a day to eight. According to the police, the teacher, Mohammad Sharif, who was killed inside the car, belonged to the same school in Pakistan where seven teachers were killed. Earlier talking to the media, prominent political activist Sajjad Kargili said that Takfiri terrorism is a global threat and the world community must unitedly root out the entity of this Ideology. Takfir is an accusation of unbelief or a declaration of apostasy which leads to the ex-communication of another Muslim. It is the practice of one Muslim declaring another Muslim as an infidel, which some extremist groups use to prescribe the death penalty for apostates. "The incident of Parachinar is just an example, we have seen such incidents in DI Khan, Hangu, Quetta and Chilas in the past too. The culprits of Chilas are still not arrested, terrorism must be eradicated from the page of history," he added. The incident came within a week of several attacks by terrorists, including an assault by a suicide bomber who drove into a military base camp just outside Pakistan's rugged, lawless tribal district, killing three soldiers. The Pakistani Taliban have been behind attacks against the state that have become more frequent since last year after it revoked a ceasefire and peace talks with the government in Islamabad collapsed. The government says the peace talks allowed the release of hundreds of militants and their leaders from prison, enabling them to regroup and launch fresh attacks.

    Three teachers from Punjab have been selected for the National Awards to Teachers 2022. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards to 46 selected awardees on September 5 to honour their unique contribution to school education, officials said on Thursday.   The teachers from Punjab include Arun Kumar Garg, Vandana Shahi and Harpreet Singh.   Arun Kumar Garg (39), principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Datewas, Mansa, has completed 15 years of teaching in mathematics in government schools. He holds a postgraduate degree in mathematics and a Bolivia-based university bestowed DLitt on him last year. Garg’s colleague terms him a laborious teacher with impressive leadership qualities.   “I was never comfortable with mathematics and experienced gaps in my learning abilities with classroom teaching. Circumstances made me opt for maths at the PG level and after that, I was able to overcome my scare of the subject. I made mathematics my passion with a mission to help students understand the subject fun,” he added.   He runs a free online channel on Youtube “Abhyaas By Arun Sir” to facilitate both students and teachers.   Vandana Shahi, principal of BCM School, Basant Avenue, Dugri, Ludhiana, a CBSE affiliated private school, has been recognised for her immense commitment, innovative teaching ways and for initiating numerous community outreach programmes in the school.   Under her guidance, students got selected for NASA programmes and also won numerous competitions under the category of innovation. The school has introduced teen entrepreneur club for the students where they learn entrepreneur skills.   Besides, Shahi introduced special programmes, including SARTHIS (Systematic and Robust Training for Holistic Involvement of Support Staff) for the support staff where the Class-4 employees are indulged in sports and other community activities.   Harpreet Singh (43), posted as head teacher at Government Primary Smart School, Bihla, joined the school as ETT teacher in 2003 and became head teacher in 2016.   He is known for turning the dilapidated and unsafe building of the school into smart, student-friendly and equipped with all facilities needed by students for their social and academic development with the help of locals and NRIs.   The locals and NRIs have spent ₹35 lakh on the school for converting it into a smart school. Out of it, Harpreet has contributed ₹7 lakh from his own pocket. Besides, he has also given ₹3 lakh to other government schools for the same purpose. School education minister Harjot Singh Bains has congratulated the government school teachers of the state who have been selected for the National Teachers Awards-2022. Applauding the teachers, Bains said that they have brought laurels for the state and their selection for the prestigious awards will uplift the morale and inspire other teachers of government schools to work harder.   Source: Hindustan Times  

A Dhaka court on Sunday issued arrest warrant for suspended acting principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College Naznin Ferdous and another teacher in a case filed over the suicide of a ninth grader. Judge Rabiul Alam, additional metropolitan sessions judge court-3, passed the order after cancelling their bail. The victim's mother testified before the court in today’s hearing. But the teachers were not present in court. The court cancelled their bail as the accused did not take any step, said assistant public prosecutor Mohammad Salauddin Hawlader. The teachers are- suspended acting principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College  Naznin Ferdous and morning shift in-charge of Bailey Road branch Jeenat Akhter. Earlier on November 25, the victim’s father Dilip Adhikari testified before the court. Aritree Adhikari, a class-IX student of the school, reportedly took her own life at their Shantinagar residence in the city on December 3, 2018 after allegedly being rebuked by teachers for using mobile phone during examination. Following the incident, Dilip Adhikari filed a case against three teachers of the school. It sparked a wave of outrage inside and outside the school and students demonstrated on the campus for three days. Later, the governing body of the school suspended three teachers -- acting Principal Nazneen Ferdous, morning shift in-charge of Bailey Road branch Jeenat Akhter and Aritree’s class teacher Hasna Hena-- over the suicide case. Source: UNB AH

President Abdul Hamid on Saturday called upon teachers not to compromise with their ideals and principles for personal gains and having recruitment to lucrative positions in the administration. “A teacher must be a symbol of ideals and principles. As the Chancellor, I get shocked seeing all the reports published in various media these days,” the President said. In different universities, he said, teachers are busy lobbying for various positions in the administration without attending the regular activities in their universities during his speech at the 11th Convocation of Rajshahi University held at RU’s Sheikh Kamal Stadium in the afternoon. President and RU Chancellor Abdul Hamid presided over the function. He said many teachers even do not hesitate to use their students for their personal gain. The president expressed his disappointment at the fact that students and teachers have forgotten about their ideal relationship and now involved in transactions of mutual interest. “This is highly shameful and disgraceful,” Abdul Hamid exclaimed. The President reminded the teachers of their role and what people expect from them. As people see teachers at the highest level of dignity and respect, Abdul Hamid warned them not to compromise with principles and ideals for personal gain. The President asked the teachers to uphold their dignity and they should take the responsibility so that personal interests cannot destroy ideals and ideology. “You’re very much aware politically. Political ideology and thoughts can be different from one person to another. But it must be ensured so that the negative effects do not fall on institutions or students,” he said. Terming the graduates the most worthy human resources of the country, the President said the future development and progress of Bangladesh depend on them. “Your knowledge, talent and wisdom will be the main driving force for development,” Hamid told the new graduates. He asked them to always uphold truth and justice as graduates from the highest institution of the country while stopping corruption and wrongdoings driven by morality. Describing graduates as conscious citizens of the state, he called on them to remain careful so that conscience is never defeated. He also reminded them that the people of this country paid for their education and therefore they owe a debt of gratitude. “It’s time to pay off that debt. If you can benefit the country and people with your talents, deeds and honesty, that debt will be repaid, anyway.” Hamid asked the new graduates not to forget their country and its people, no matter where they reside in this planet. A total of 3,432 graduates registered their names in the convocation. Of them, 666 are from 10 departments under arts faculty, 89 from law department under the Faculty of Law, 377 from eight departments under the Faculty of Sciences, 505 from four departments under the Faculty of Business Studies Faculty and 582 from nine departments under the Faculty of Social Sciences. Besides, 310 graduates are from six departments under the Faculty of Life and Earth Sciences, 85 from four departments under the Faculty of Agriculture, 135 from five departments under the Faculty of Engineering and 43 are from two departments under the Faculty of Fine Arts. Six other graduates also registered their names for post-graduation, MPhil and PhD degrees while 511 for MBBS and 123 for BDS degrees at the convocation. Vice-chancellor of Vidyasagar University in West Bengal of India Prof Ranjan Chakrabarty attended it as convocation speaker while Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni attended as special guest. Rajshahi City Mayor Khairuzzaman Liton, RU VC M Abdus Sobhan were also present. Source: UNB AH

A case was filed against five madrasa teachers including its principal in commercial city Chattogram over allegation of beating a student to death and for hanging the dead body. The five were detained on Thursday for interrogation but on Friday they were shown arrested by police. The arrested are- principal Abu Darda, hefz department teacher Tarekur Rahman, Md. Zobaer, Anas Ali and Abdus Samad. On Friday afternoon Anisur Rahman, father of the slain Habibur Rahman filed a murder case with Bayezid Bostami police station in the city. Officer in Charge of Bayezid Bostami police station Ataur Rahman confirmed the matter and said, the five who were detained on Thursday for interrogation have been shown arrested. On Wednesday police recovered a hanging dead body of a student from Al Jamia Abu Bakkar As-Siddik Al Islamia Madrasa at Wazedia area under Bayezid Bostami police station in the port city. The deceased identified as Habibur Rahman (11) was a hefz department student of the madrasa. He was from Khagrachhari district. Relatives of Habibur claimed the incident as killing after beating. AH     

The non-MPO teachers and employees are in field after one year with their demand of MPO enlistment. The leaders of the teachers' federation say that they want to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this time. They will not move from the road without meeting the Prime Minister. The teachers and employees of the non-MPO educational institutions are taking part a sit-in program in front of National Press Club for the second consecutive day. On Thursday at 11 am they started their pre declared walk in program towards the Prime Minister's Office. But they took their position in front of Press Club again following obstacles created by police. The non-MPO educational institutions teachers and employees say that they were observing different programs citing attention of the government for enlisting the non-MPO institutions under MPO. The government assured them repeatedly but those were not implemented. For this they had to wage the new programs. General Secretary of Non-MPO Educational Institutions Teachers' and Employees' Federation Principal Dr. Binay Bhushan Roy said, on January 5, 2018 Prime Minister's Personal Secretary came to us and said that the Prime Minister accepted our demand. She asked us to go back to homes after breaking the hunger strike. Then National Professor Dr. Anisuzzaman, former caretaker government advisor Rasheda K Chowdhury and others also asked us to go back to homes. They assured that steps would be taken after consulting the matter to the Prime Minister. But there was no development. So being forced we have come down to the roads from 11 am on Thursday. We wanted to continue our walk in program but police created obstacles. We want to meet the Prime Minister. We want to say our words to her. We will not leave the road without meeting the Prime Minister. It is known that several thousand teachers and employees have gathered in front of National Press Club from 5 thousand 242 non-MPO educational institutions of the country. Many teachers have become sick for taking part in the sit in program for the second consecutive day. Besides huge traffic congestion is created in the areas adjacent to the National Press Club. AH   

Teachers of the country’s government and private educational institutions cannot run coaching business. According to the policy formulated in 2012 to stop coaching business the High Court delivered the order. The High Court bench comprising Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice Rajik Al Jalil said these to Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer Md. Khurshid Alam Khan on Monday as he was present in the court. Later Khurshid Alam told the newsmen, I was present in the court in connection with another case. At that time the court informed me that the judges watched two talk shows of mine broadcasted on television. About the definition of coaching the judges cleared their speech and said to me that those who are associated with coaching as free lancers- out of the educational institutions can maintain their activities. But those who are associated with certain educational institutions in that case the policy formulated in 2012 to stop coaching business will be applicable for them. Following the delivered speech of the court, according to the policy of 2012 to stop coaching business, the teachers associated with different educational institutions cannot run coaching business at any cost. The High Court on February 7 declared the government policy formulated in 2012 to stop coaching business as valid. After hearing of five writ petitions in this regard the High Court bench of Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice Rajik Al Jalil passed the order. The court also appointed former two attorney generals- Hasan Arif and Fida M Kamal as Amicus Curiae to solve the rule. AH