Dhaka, May 26 -- The interim government has raised the festival allowance for teachers listed under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme at non-government schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions across Bangladesh.

Teachers will now receive 50 percent of their basic salary as a festival bonus, up from 25 percent, which had remained unchanged since 2004.

But MPO category employees, who currently receive 50 percent, were left out of the hike, though the original proposal sought to raise their share to 75 percent.

The Finance Division issued the order on Monday, making it effective from the date of issue.

The directive was sent to the senior secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division and the secretary of the Te...