Teaching on sub-contract!

Nine such teachers including two headmasters of three government primary schools in Dimla upazila have been suspended by the District Primary Education Department (DPFD) for such gross neglect to duty.

There may be more such teachers in some other government primary schools, sources at the DPFD told this correspondent.

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The suspended teachers are headmaster Tofael Ahmed and teachers Abdul Ali and Ruhul Amin of Moddho Khalisha Government Primary School, headmaster Yakub Ali, Abdullah Chowdhury and Taimur Rahman of East Kharibari Government Primary school and Rozina Akhtar, Ansar Ali and Abu Taher of Tepa Kharibari No. 2 Government Primary School.

They engaged nine unqualified people to take classes in exchange of monthly salaries ranging from Tk 500 to 1000, the sources said.

The nine teachers are linked with political parties. They could not make time to go to their school as they also were either involved in NGO activities or businesses.

They were suspended after investigation following complaints by local people, the sources said.

"They had been doing this practice for 10-12 years. This was within the knowledge of the TEO (Thana Education Officer)", one source said seeking anonymity.

A news item regarding the irregularities was published in a local newspaper, which awoke DPED officials. Tougher punishment for the nine teachers is in process, the sources said.

An NGO-- Campaign for Assistance, Mobility and Promotion (CAMP)-- recently conducted a survey in a number of primary schools in the district. In a report it said teachers of many primary schools do not come to their schools regularly. They are involved in other works. Some teachers come to school once a month to put signature in the attendance register only to ensure salary.

The survey also revealed that in many schools, influential teachers have understanding with the headmaster.

They place leave application in advance to the headmaster without putting the date. It any inspector comes, the headmaster puts date on the application and shows it to the inspector.

In certain cases, the school managing committee also knows the gross irregularities.

The NGO survey also revealed that in many schools, students are fewer than on roll. This is done only to keep registration of the school and draw stipend money.

An official at the DPED office admitted that there are such irregularities in some government primary schools. Some schools were punished last month for irregularities in drawing stipend.

The schools are Kisamat Dhaigan Abdul Mojid Government Primary School in Kishoregang upazila, Golmunda Government Primary School in Jaldhaka upazila, Mouja Sholmari Government Primary School in Jaldhaka upazila and Chaura Government Primary School of Saidpur upazila.

This correspondent contacted DPEO Abdus Sattar Sarkar. He admitted that there are irregularities in his department.

"We are taking action after investigation", he said.

But he rejected the survey report of the NGO. "They want to please their donors by highlighting their activities and tarnishing our image".

He however said, in the district, there are only 26 ATEO's and it is very difficult for them to inspect all government primary schools and 439 registered non-government primary schools in the district.