Headmaster transferred for taking away student’s textbooks in Nilphamari

The headmaster of Gabrol Government Primary School in Jaldhaka upazila in Nilphamari, who took away the textbooks of a fifth grader for failing to pay the annual picnic fee, has been transferred.

Headmaster Abdur Razzaque, was transferred to Purbo Gopaljhar Char Bharot Government Primary School located in the remote ‘char’ area of Teesta according to an order issued by the education directorate in Rangpur division.

The deputy director of the education directorate in Rangpur division yesterday issued the order which is effective immediately, reports our Nilphamari correspondent.

The transfer has been termed, a departmental punishment as the headmaster had no right to take away text books provided for free by the government, said Upazila Primary Education Officer (UPEO) Nur Mohammad.

Locals of the upazila have expressed satisfaction at the transfer order.

Zahurul Huque Khan, president of the primary school teachers’ association in the upazila, said they would not take responsibility of the gross misconduct by the responsible headmaster.

Why were the textbooks taken away?

Kajoli Rani Roy (11) is a student of class 5 at Gabrol Government Primary School. Her father Krishna Chandra Roy, who is a day labourer, claimed that he was shamed by the headmaster for failing to pay the picnic fee.

The headmaster had asked students to bring Tk 250 for the annual picnic by January 29.

“I managed Tk 200 for my daughter two days ago [January 27] hoping that the headmaster would consider my situation,” Krishna told The Daily Star earlier.

“When the money to the class teacher, he took it and asked me to bring the rest or meet the headmaster,” said Kajoli. “But the headmaster scolded me and insisted I pay the rest that day when I told him about my situation,” the child said.

Later that day, Kajoli and her father went to the school and met the headmaster where he told Krishna that his daughter did not follow the rules of the school and therefore had no right to keep the textbooks. He also asked Krishna to enroll his daughter to some other school.