District Correspondent, Pirojpur

S.M. Mujibur Rahman, headteacher of Bhandaria Thana Girls’ Secondary School in Pirojpur, has been temporarily suspended over allegations including corruption, incompetence, professional misconduct, negligence of duty, moral misconduct and activities allegedly contrary to the interests of the educational institution.

An office order signed by Bhandaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and school managing committee president Md Hasibul Hasan was issued on Tuesday (October 6).

At a meeting held on Monday (October 5), chaired by school president and Bhandaria UNO Md Hasibul Hasan, the authorities reviewed the headteacher’s written response to a show-cause notice and his statements during a personal hearing. The authorities concluded that his explanations were not satisfactory.

A three-member committee was subsequently formed to investigate the allegations under Sections 53(3) and 53(4) of the 2024 regulations of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Barishal.

He was temporarily suspended from the post of headteacher under Sections 53(7) and 54(1) of the same regulations.

Upazila Youth Development Officer Syed Azmal Hossain, representing the UNO, was appointed convener of the investigation committee. Md Zulfikar Ali Sheikh, headteacher of Achiya Khatun High School, was appointed as the teacher representative, while Abdul Alim Akon, a guardian representative of Bhandaria Thana Girls’ Secondary School, was appointed as a member.

According to the office order, under Section 53(5) of the 2024 regulations, the investigation committee must complete its inquiry and submit a report to the school president within one month.

Earlier, on September 13, the headteacher was served a show-cause notice over various allegations. He submitted a written response on September 28 and requested a personal hearing.

During the personal hearing held on October 4, he denied the allegations brought against him.

However, after reviewing his written response and statements at the hearing, the authorities said they were not considered appropriate or satisfactory.

The office order said he was temporarily suspended under Sections 53(7) and 54(1) of the regulations as the authorities considered the suspension necessary while the allegations were being investigated.

During the suspension period, he has been instructed not to leave his workplace without permission from the authorities. He will also receive a subsistence allowance equivalent to half of his salary, according to the order.