BOU laboratory school faces closure

11 April 2009, 18:00 PM

A Correspondent, Gazipur

Bangladesh Open University Laboratory School at Gazipur is facing closure throwing the fate of 17 teachers and employees and 300 students into uncertainty. BOU laboratory school started its journey as a junior high school in 2005. But now the teachers and employees of the school are not getting salary from January 2009. BOU Vice Chancellor Prof RIM Aminur Rashid said the school was established violating rules. Taking its responsibility would amount to corruption, he observed. Sources said the school admitted students and appointed teachers from 2005. At first the school authorities took government permission for junior high school (upto class VIII) for three years. But this year it admitted students to classes IX and X. Teachers and employees said the university authorities 'suddenly' stopped their salary from January this year. Headmistress Reshma Parveen said, she personally and along with her colleagues talked with the vice chancellor several times for a way out. The teachers and employees also submitted memorandum to the VC and others concerned and observed work stoppage. But the vice chancellor always questioned legality of establishing the school and the appointments saying the whole process had violated the rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC), she said. Contacted, VC Prof RIM Aminur Rashid admitted stoppage of salary payment and alleged that the then VC established the school in a car garage 'in a hurry'. Rashid said the rules of UGC clearly say that the manpower of such school cannot be a part of the university. The university can only allow a grant of not more than Tk 10 lakh to the school. The VC said the government audit expressed objection about spending Tk 94.73 lakh in fiscal year 2005-06 and 2007-08. He also raised questions about the qualification of some teachers and their appointment process. Replying to a question, the VC said he does not want to ruin the academic life of the students. I rather want to establish the school anew following rules, he said. Headmistress Reshma Parveen claimed her appointment was lawful and added, all activities of the school were done with the approval of the managing committee.