Tk 25 lakh extra fees collected from 637 SSC candidates
In the face of Anti-Corruption Commission's drive on November 11, authorities of Jatrabari High School and College promised to return extra fees collected from SSC candidates; the money, however, was not returned.
Instead, the acting principal and two assistant headmasters deposited extra fees worth Tk 25 lakh to their joint account in a private bank.
Acting on a tip-off, an ACC team yesterday conducted a drive once again at the school and found that the authorities collected Tk 25 lakh extra fees from 637 candidates for “special coaching class and rag day”.
“The registration fee is about Tk 1,900 per student but the school authorities charged Tk 5,200 extra,” said Jahangir Alam, who led the ACC team.
Guardians also complained to the ACC team that the school asked students who failed the test examination Tk 30,000-Tk 40,000 to let them sit for re-test.
“Some students were forced to retake the test and about 76 were given the opportunity,” said Jahangir, quoting guardians.
Jahangir said the school authorities made a written pledge to ACC, saying they will return Tk 25 lakh on November 25 and 26.
Talking to The Daily Star, Acting Principal of the school Moniruzzaman Howlader said, “We deposited the money fearing it might be stolen. We'll return the money to guardians on November 25.”
He, however, refuted the allegation of taking extra money for re-test.
ACC Director General Muhammad Munir Chowdhury, who coordinated the drive, said they will go for actions against the teachers responsible for the offence.
Talking to journalists, ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmood called upon guardians to not pay extra fees.
He also asked teachers not to collect extra fees and give students, who failed test examination, the opportunity to sit for SSC exams.
Meanwhile, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has formed 11 teams to monitor collection of extra fees.
“Allegations have been made that extra fees are being taken on different grounds. Collecting extra fees is against the rule and is a punishable offence,” reads the letter issued by DSHE. The committee will contact guardians to find out how much extra money has been charged.
DSHE will identify the schools that took extra fees and take necessary measures to return the money to guardians.
The committees have been asked to submit report within five days.
Comments