TIB Survey on Primary Schools
Teachers gobble up Tk 33 lakh students' stipend in Jhenidah
Hossain Seraj and Azibor Rahman from Jhenidah
Primary school teachers in Jhenidah Sadar upazila allegedly misappropriated around Tk 33 lakh of students' 'sub-stipend' in the last financial year (FY 2005-6), according to a survey by Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB). Due to alleged dishonesty of teachers, each of the 77 per cent 'sub-stipend' receivers, on an average, got Tk 52 less than the amounts they were suppose to get, the report stated. The report said, a student, on an average, had to pay Tk 16 for enlistment for the 'sub-stipend'. The TIB in its survey report also said that apart from 'grabbing' stipend money, teachers also regularly realised extra money on 17 heads from all students. These include inflated monthly tuition fees, fine for absence, class promotion fees, fees for transfer certificate, entertainment fees, session charge and fees for cultural and religion functions. Jhenidah district unit of Primary Teachers Association (PTA), however refuted the report and alleged that it was not authentic as TIB men did not talk to teachers during their investigation. Talking to The Daily Star on Thursday, president of Jhenidah District Primary Teachers Association (PTA) AM Babur rejecting the report said, "Teachers are just engaged in preparing lists of sub-stipend receivers while inquiry officers (IO) of banks distributed the money among students". "So far as I know our innocent teachers are not involved in realising any money from students. The report is not authentic", he said. In reply to questions, Babur, however, said that in some schools, teachers might realise money from students. He assured that PTA would look into the matter. The report was made public at a recent press conference jointly organised by TIB and Sacheton Nagorik Committee (SNC) in Jhenidah at SNC office. The report also stated that students were harassed in various ways by a section of teachers during the period. The report claimed that 50 per cent students were "deprived of due marks" while the rest were "misbehaved" by teachers as they did not attend private coaching by teachers. The press conference was presided over by convener of Jhenidah district SNC Sheikh Selim while he report was presented by TIB executive member TIB Prof ANM Shahjahan. TIB officials Dipu Roy and Uzzal Bhattacharya also spoke at the press conference.
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