A human chain was held in Morelganj of Bagerhat on Saturday, with local residents, parents and concerned citizens protesting alleged irregularities in the management of a government primary school.
The demonstration was held around 2:00pm on August 29 in front of No. 69 SB Kalikabari Government Primary School against its headteacher, Shiuli Parvin.
A banner used at the protest alleged irregularities in the school's administration, including misuse of SLIP project allocations, unauthorised felling of government trees, misappropriation of state resources and irregularities in forming the school's managing committee.
Speakers identifying themselves as parents, local residents, land donors and BNP leaders included Sumon Howlader, Minara Begum, Shilpi Khanam, Robiul Islam, Zakir Hossain, Gaffar Khan, Nasir Khan and Amzad Hossain.
The protesters alleged that complaints had previously been submitted to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), education officials and other relevant offices, but no effective action had been taken.
They said the demonstration was organised to demand an investigation into the allegations against the headteacher and proper action if the allegations are substantiated.
Headteacher Shiuli Parvin denied the allegations, saying those who participated in the demonstration were not parents of students at the school.
She described the allegations as “imaginary and baseless” and urged journalists to investigate the matter independently before drawing conclusions.
Assistant Primary Education Officer Md Russell Molla, responsible for the relevant school cluster, said his office had received a complaint regarding irregularities in the formation of the school's managing committee.
He said instructions had previously been issued to cancel the committee, although that decision was subsequently suspended.
Regarding the alleged cutting of government trees, Molla said a separate complaint had also been received.
“The matter will be investigated and further action will be taken based on the findings,” he said.
The allegations against the headteacher have therefore yet to be established through an official investigation.
