Sexual Harassment: Headmaster suspended

The headmaster of a government primary school in Patuakhali has been suspended as a probe found him guilty of sexually harassing female students.

Barisal Education Board served the suspension order to Rezaul Karim, headmaster of Omedpur Government Primary School, on Sunday.

Abul Bashar, education officer (acting) of Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali, said they received the suspension order, signed by SM Faruque, deputy director of Barisal Divisional Primary and Mass Education Department, and took action accordingly.

On August 24, parents of a student submitted a written complaint to Kalapara Upazila Education Office against Rezaul who served the school as headmaster for nine years.

In the complaint, parents of the student alleged that their daughter was sexually harassed by the headmaster.

After finishing classes, the headmaster used to call on girls and confine them in a room with closed doors and windows and sexually harass them. At times, he also threatened the students so that they did not share their experiences with anyone, the complaint added.

Parents of four more students also brought the same allegation against the teacher. 

Receiving the complaint, upazila education officer Abul went to the school and investigated. He then submitted his report to the higher authorities.

The Daily Star, however, could not reach Reazul over phone after repeated attempts.