From Teaching Irregularities to Mismanagement of Tiffin and Funds.Hilchia School Under Scrutiny.

Syed Bashir Ahmed, Chief Reporter. A series of serious allegations have surfaced regarding Hilchia Government Primary School (No. 31) in Bajitpur Upazila, Kishoreganj. Concerns have arisen among locals regarding the institution's operations due to issues such as teachers failing to conduct regular classes, using students for personal chores, irregularities concerning tiffin meals, allegations of financial misconduct by staff, and safety concerns regarding the school environment. These allegations came to light through conversations with local residents, former and current students, and various individuals associated with the school. Consequently, an impartial investigation by the relevant authorities is essential to verify the facts. When a visit was made to the school recently to verify these claims, several teachers were observed staying in the office room instead of conducting classes as required. Some were seen using mobile phones or engaging in video calls with family members. Attempts to discuss these matters with the Headmistress, Purabi Rani Saha, and Assistant Teacher Mobarak Hossain were met with evasive responses; they sidestepped the allegations. Using Young Students for Errands and Household Chores.One of the most serious allegations against the school is the practice of using students for the teachers' personal tasks. Locals allege that students are made to run errands for Headmistress Purabi Rani Saha such as shopping for her household and fetching breakfast as well as cleaning the classrooms and office rooms. Several former students claimed that when they attended private tutoring sessions with the Headmistress in the past, they were made to perform personal tasks for her family, such as looking after, feeding, bathing, and washing the clothes of the family's children. According to multiple former students, these practices occasionally led to heated arguments between the teacher and the students' guardians. Serious Allegations Against the School Attendant.There are also various complaints among locals regarding the school attendant, Mobarak Mia. A local resident alleged that Mobarak Mia, who stays at the school at night, hosts drug-taking sessions on the second floor of the school building with local drug users. The individual also alleged that immoral activities involving women take place there. An investigation by school authorities, the local administration, and law enforcement agencies is essential in this matter. Accountability is required regarding who uses the government primary school building at night, whether anyone stays there, and whether school assets or infrastructure are being utilized for unauthorized purposes. In particular, if the school remains unsecured at night on a regular basis, the safety of the children and the protection of government property could be compromised. Allegations of Irregularities Regarding Tiffin. Although there is a provision for tiffin (midday snacks) for students at government primary schools, complaints have arisen regarding the quality and supply of food at No. 31 Hilchia Government Primary School. Complainants allege that students are served substandard food and that, at times, supplies are delivered only once every two or three days. There are also allegations that a portion of the unspent funds is shared among Headmistress Purabi Rani Saha, Assistant Teacher Mobarak Hossain, and the school attendant, Mobarak Miah. Allegations of Bribery in Appointments. Complaints have also surfaced regarding the appointment of the current headmistress, Purabi Rani Saha, following the retirement of the school's former headmistress, Srimati Namita Saha. Two assistant teachers at the school claim that a substantial sum of money was paid to an official at the Upazila Education Office to secure the headmistress position for Purabi Rani Saha and the assistant headmaster role for Mobarak Hossain. The complainants allege that amounts of three lakh and two lakh taka were exchanged for these respective appointments. Attempts to contact Bajitpur Upazila Education Officer Md. Sakhawat Hossain regarding these allegations were unsuccessful.