Ghost teachers run school in Rangamati!

Serious allegations have been raised against three teachers of a government primary school in the hill district of Rangamati for not taking regular classes and instead hiring others as ‘borga shikkhak’ (ghost teachers who stand in for full-time teachers in their absence) to conduct lessons.
Additionally, these teachers of Basanta Moin Government Primary School in Balukhali Union in Rangamati District are accused of withdrawing salaries through fake attendance records.
Investigation reveals that the local indigenous Chakma community residing in this hilly area made these complaints, prompting the formation of an inquiry committee led by the district primary education officer.
The preliminary investigation found the allegations against the acting headteacher Pallab Roy, assistant teacher Ina Chakma, and Jonaki Tripura to be substantially true.
It was found that the accused teachers reside in the district headquarters, while the six-decade-old Basanta Moin Government Primary School is located in a somewhat remote area across Kaptai Lake. The only means of communication is by engine boat, and mobile network coverage is poor.
Instead of conducting regular classes, the three accused teachers hired some proxy teachers who would conduct half-day classes and then leave the school.
Besides, the accused teachers are also alleged to have collected salaries without teaching by showing fake attendance sheets. The investigation committee is currently examining these allegations.
Amar Kumar Chakma, chairman of the local Balukhali Union Parishad, told Times of Bangladesh that following the complaints, the assistant primary education officer of the sadar (headquarters) upazila conducted a field investigation at Basanta Moin School. Prior to this, joint mediation meetings were held with the local residents and the accused teachers, during which the teachers promised to attend classes regularly.
He said, “We hope that after the investigation, teachers will conduct regular classes at the school.”
Rangamati-based journalist Supriya Chakma Shuvo highlighted the reality of the hills, stating, “Due to the non-recruitment of local teachers in the hill regions and transportation difficulties, such irregularities frequently occur.”
“Moreover, since citizen facilities are lacking in remote areas, teachers do not prefer to reside there or conduct classes regularly. Most schools also lack accommodation facilities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ashish Kumar Mahajan, upazila primary education officer of Rangamati Sadar, told Times of Bangladesh that the investigation report is in their hand. “Action will be taken against the accused immediately.”
Hrishikesh Shil, the district primary education officer of Rangamati, said, “If the investigation report confirms the allegations, disciplinary action will be taken against the teachers according to the existing government policy.”
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rifat Asma told Times of Bangladesh, “We have received complaints that teachers leave school at 1:00 pm and don’t conduct regular classes. As a result, innocent students are deprived of continuous education. This is very unfortunate.”
Instructions have been given for taking actions against the accused in accordance with the investigation report. Additionally, the upazila administration is taking steps to provide engine boat transportation facilities for teachers on this route, hhe added.