A government primary school in Alikadam, Bandarban, remains closed almost all year round as teachers show reluctance to conduct classes. Allegations have surfaced that teachers at Lauling Nyaday Kampuk Para Government Primary School, located in a Mro-majority area, continue to receive regular salaries but spend their time idly in the upazila town instead of teaching.
Local Mro farmers, who rely on shifting cultivation (a form of farming on hilly terrain), take advantage of the school’s closure to put their children to work on farms and household chores. Recently, a human rights delegation visited the school, where they uncovered irregularities. Local representatives also lodged complaints with relevant authorities, prompting the District Primary Education Office to form an investigation committee to look into the matter.
The leader of the human rights delegation, Uthoaingyaw Marma, told The Times of Bangladesh, “During our recent on-site visit, we found that the school remains closed for most of the year. Upon further investigation, we discovered that the school is only opened briefly, once or twice a year, when an education official visits to inspect, after which the teachers quickly show up to make it appear that classes are being held.”
When asked why the parents had not protested, Uthoaingyaw highlighted the region’s remoteness, stating, “The Mro farmers, who are less educated, did not raise any complaints due to a lack of awareness about their rights.”
The Ward No.9 Member of Kurukpata Union, Sangkuluk Mro, informed that despite their protests, no action had been taken, prompting them to file complaints with the administration.
District Primary Education Officer Mofazzal H. Khan confirmed to The Times of Bangladesh that the complaints had been forwarded to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, and a committee had been formed to investigate the matter, with Assistant Education Officer Mong Sinu Marma leading the inquiry.
“We have taken swift action as soon as we were informed, and we are closely monitoring the situation,” he added.
Mong Sinu Marma, after conducting preliminary investigations, confirmed the allegations that the school remains closed for almost the entire year. When asked why the previous education officer had failed to address the issue, Mong Sinu Marma stated, “This is also part of the investigation. Furthermore, three male and two female teachers have been summoned for questioning.” Marma assured that steps are being taken to recruit new teachers and reopen the school as soon as possible.
However, the accused assistant teacher Sajeda Khanom Laki denied the allegations entirely. While attending a training session at the Primary Teachers’ Training Institute (PTI), Dhaka, Laki refuted the claims, saying, “These accusations are not true. Some ‘fake journalists’ are spreading rumors. The school is open.”