The High Court has issued a rule directing authorities to explain why 57 former Upazila Program Officers of the Basic Literacy Project (64 districts) under the Bureau of Non-Formal Education should not be made permanent. The bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan issued the rule after a preliminary hearing on Monday, following a writ petition seeking directives for their inclusion in permanent posts.

According to the petition, the officers were recruited through written, practical, and oral examinations under 2016 and 2018 circulars and have been serving for years. The project ended in 2022, but the government created 491 Upazila Non-Formal Education Officer posts in 2020 to maintain continuity. The petition claims that a summary sent to the Prime Minister on October 25, 2023, seeking approval for their absorption, was returned without proper presentation, allegedly violating constitutional and legal provisions.

The petitioners argue that not making them permanent is discriminatory and contrary to constitutional equality principles. They also expressed concern that new recruitment for 351 posts announced in December 2025 could harm their prospects if 57 positions are not reserved for them.