Primary schools collecting admission fees illegally
Although there is no official provision for taking any fee for admission to government and non-government primary schools, most of the schools in the district are charging Tk 60 to 70 for the purpose.
The institutions are also taking Tk 40 to 70 as 're-admission fees' from the students promoted to next classes, although salary of the teachers and other staff of such schools are paid from the government exchequer.
"I gave Tk 140 for admission of my two kids to class one of this school," a guardian named Rahima Begum told this correspondent during his visit to Bhoakhali Government Primary School in Narail Sadar upazila on Wednesday.
Abul Bashar, headmaster of the school, said, "We take Tk 10 for an admission form and Tk 60 for each student's admission. The money collected in this way is spent for paying salary to the employees like ayas."
Kamal Hossain, an Easy Bike driver, and a resident of of Kurigram village under Narail Sadar upazila, said he had to pay Tk 60 for his daughter's admission to class one of Shib Shankor Government Primary School in the same upazila.
"I could not have my son admitted to Shib Shankor Government Primary School as I failed to pay Tk 60 for the purpose," said Monju, a garden worker living at a slum in Narail municipality area.
Shamima Sultana, headmaster of the school, however, denied the allegations of taking any money for the admission.
Replying to a query, she said, "We the teachers and a guardians' committee arrange the salary of a few school employees who are not on the government payroll."
Another guardian requesting anonymity said he had to pay Tk 40 for his son's admission to class V in Auria Government Primary School this week.
Most other government and non-government schools of the district are also taking money illegally for admission.
Meanwhile, a good number of kindergartens and private schools in the district are taking 500 to 600 taka for admission as there is no official instruction to them regarding the fees for admission and tuition.
Contacted, District Primary Education Officer Tobibur Rahman said, "There is no provision for taking any money for the admission to government and non-government primary schools. We will take necessary action if any school is found guilty in this regard."
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