A teacher at last

Five government officials yesterday apologised to the Supreme Court's Appellate Division for failing to comply with its order to appoint a woman as a primary school teacher in 15 days.

The woman, Beauty Begum, scored the highest in primary school teachers recruitment test in Gaibandha in 2008, but did not get the job.

After she launched a legal battle, the Appellate Division on August 3, 2017 directed the officials to recruit her to the post in 15 days.

Her lawyer Altaf Hossain said the inaction to hire his client by the given time was tantamount to the contempt of court.

The five officials include then director general of the Directorate of Primary Education Dr Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, who is now the defence secretary.

Yesterday, they appeared in person before a three-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Justice Muhammad Imman Ali, and aplogised unconditionally through submitting two separate petitions before the bench.

The apology petitions mentioned that the government has now appointed Beauty Begum in line with the order.

Her lawyer Altaf Hossain told this correspondent that the government issued an appointment letter on Thursday and Beauty would join work without delay.

After accepting the apology, the apex court pardoned the officials and disposed of a contempt of court petition filed against them, Altaf added.

The other officials are primary education directorate's Deputy Director Md Ramzan Ali, Gaibandha Primary Education Officer Aminul Islam, Gaibandha Sadar Education Officer Md Abdus Salam, and Assistant Thana Education Officer Masumul Islam, he said.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state while lawyer Shafique Mahmud Pushpa appeared for the officials during the virtual hearing.

The apex court bench on December 7 summoned the five officials.

The top court passed the order while hearing a contempt of court rule issued earlier against the officials. The apex court issued the rule on March 2 this year following the contempt of court petition filed by Beauty, who stood first in the test for the post of primary school teacher.

Lawyer Altaf Hossain said the government officials recruited Nazma Sultana, who had the second highest score in the exam.

The lower courts concerned, the High Court, and Appellate Division at different times had ordered the officials to recruit Beauty Begum to the post.