Transfer of teacher triggers protest

7 September 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Jhenidah

Aggrieved at transfer of a teacher, students of Jhenidah Technical School and College yesterday ransacked the college including the principal's room. Police arrested computer science teacher Jamiul Islam on charge of instigating the students. Agitation spread among students after hearing that Technical Education Department had transferred Jamiul to Bhola, said Jhenidah Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Motiar Rahman. A group of 20/25 students entered the principal's room yesterday noon and damaged a laptop, printer, fax machine, almirah, chairs and tables, he said. The agitating students said Principal Mahbub Haider recently issued a show cause notice on Jamiul on charge of neglecting his class but the teacher takes classes regularly and he was present on the day mentioned in the notice. To solve the problem, arbitrations were arranged and the students submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner. But Jamiul was transferred to Bhola following investigation by a one-member probe committee of the Technical Education Department. Students alleged that the principal 'arranged' the teacher's transfer without any reason. Asked about the matter, Principal Mahbub Haider said, “When I was monitoring the school on July 30, Jamiul Islam was not in his class. Being instigated by the teacher, students got involved in destructive activities.”