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Online Reporter/

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has mentioned as disgraceful the event of 265 school leavers of three upazilas of Kurigram attending the son-in-law of the State Minister of Primary and Mass Education, giving gold rings, refrigerators and washing machines by collecting a subscription of 500 taka per person. In addition, the organization expressed deep concern over this terrible example of destruction of the country’s education sector through factionalization and abuse of power by shutting down the schools with the apparent directive invitation of the state minister and with the connivance of the concerned education officers and teachers, and demanded that all those involved, including the state minister, be brought under exemplary accountability. .
TIB made this claim in a statement sent to the media on Tuesday.

According to the news published in the media, last Sunday, the teachers of Chilmari, Roumari and Char Rajibpur upazilas of Kurigram took part in the boubha of the son of the state minister for primary and mass education. TIB’s executive director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman referred to the state minister, concerned education officers and teachers as a distasteful violation of the education system, teaching profession and moral responsibility towards students. He said, this incident of Kurigram is an extremely alarming example of the country’s education system being held hostage by factionalism and abuse of power. None of the state ministers, concerned education officers and teachers can avoid this responsibility.

The TIB feels that head teachers have institutionalized the issue of personal invitations by taking advantage of their three days of reserved leave. But there is a need for a clear explanation from the government on whether this leave reserved for special situations has the opportunity to be used for such events. The Executive Director of TIB said, it is very understandable that this incident of closing so many schools and taking part in private events and giving gifts of Tk 500 per person would not have happened without the active cooperation of the district and upazila education officials. Minister of State and his family accepted this gift that showed a disgusting mentality, what is the explanation? And if accountability is not ensured for this whole incident, what is the future of the country’s education system? The government should publish it with explanation for the information of the people, especially the young students.