6 MPs trounce Nahid for wishing to rein in boards

Several ruling alliance and independent lawmakers yesterday lambasted the government, especially the education minister, for planning to take over the authority of non-government MPO-listed educational institutions' managing committees in teacher recruitment.

Threatening to resist the move at any cost, six treasury and opposition bench lawmakers, on point of order, called upon the Speaker to settle the issue after discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Nurul Islam Nahid said soon a Non-government Teachers Selection Commission would be appointing teachers at primary, secondary and higher secondary schools, madrasas and colleges following a merit list based on a test and thereby curb corruption.

Each lawmaker heads the constituency's four managing committees and nominates people to head the others. It is widely believed that bribery and political consideration get priority in appointments.

Independent MP Rustam Ali Farazi raised the issue, saying Nahid left the House guessing he would be criticised.

The other protesters are Awami League MPs Nurul Islam Shujan and Dhirendranath Shamvhu, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal MP Mayeen Uddin Khan Badal, Workers Party of Bangladesh MP Fazle Hossain Badsha and Independent MP Haji Selim.

Shujan said corruption was everywhere and termed illogical axing the authority accusing the committee's of corruption.

Fazle said it was not unfair that Nahid accused MPs of indulging in corruption.

"The minister took the decision at the advice of bureaucrats who are responsible for different irregularities in educational institutions," he added.

Selim said MPs know better how to properly run the many educational institutions they set up.

"None can have more feelings about my own family than me. I have set up colleges and schools. How can others interfere in recruiting teachers in my organisations?" he added.