Madrasa loses recognition, but teachers get salary

Ten teachers of Lamua Chandrakanda Alim Madrasa under Mirzaganj upazila in the district have continued receiving a total of Tk 2.30 lakh per month from the government coffers although the education board cancelled its academic recognition last year due to non-fulfilment of the criteria.

The madrasa was set up in 1941 but currently there is no student enrolled with the institution.

As per instruction of the education ministry, such an institution requires passing of minimum 10 students every year for running its academic activities.

In 13 years from 2005 to 2017, only 28 students took part in the Alim (Higher Secondary level) examination from the madrasa and of them only 11 examinees passed, says a letter signed by Professor AKM Saif Ullah, chairman of Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board (BMEB) that cancelled academic recognition.

The board also sent recommendation to the director general of the Secondary and Higher Education Department to cancel its MPO (monthly payment order) on September 20 in 2017.

The copy of the letter was also sent to secretary of Technical and Madrasa Education Department, Patuakhali district education officer and Mirzaganj upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) for action.

But 10 teachers have continued receiving about Tk 2.30 lakh per month as salary and the UNO is approving the bill in absence of managing committee.

Visiting the institution on March 1, this correspondent found all the rooms locked and there was no teacher there.

Eunus Ali, who introduced himself as a fourth class employee of the madrasa, said now no student come there.

Md Jahirul Islam Lotus, chairman of the immediate past managing committee, also president of Mirzaganj upazila unit Jubo League, said three-year tenure of the committee headed by him expired about six months ago.

Maulana Md Alauddin, acting principal of the madrasa, said, “Now only 10 teachers and employees are working there but there are no students. Irregularities were done during the tenure of the previous principal who retired about six months ago.”

He did not make any reply when asked why they were taking salaries without work and in violation of the letter from BMEB.

Assistant District Education Officer Md Ruhul Amin, who is in charge of the office during the ongoing leave of the district education officer, said, “I didn't know about the matter and I will take step regarding the matter very soon after visiting the madrasa.”

Contacted, Mirzaganj UNO Shah Md Rafiqul Islam said, “I didn't get copy of the letter from the madrasa board regarding the matter in time. Someone gave it to me only two days ago. From the next month I will not approve the salary bill for the madrasa.”