Only 11 of 191 Students Present at Nilphamari Madrasa; Superintendent Summoned to Dhaka
At the Bherabheri Kamal Uddin Dakhil Madrasa in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari, only 11 students were present out of 191 enrolled on the day of an inspection. Several other allegations of irregularities have also been raised against the institution alongside the low student attendance.
The madrasa's superintendent has been summoned to appear at the Directorate of Madrasa Education in Dhaka with explanations and related documents over the allegations. The directorate has also asked why disciplinary action should not be taken against the superintendent and two teachers who were absent without leave.
The instruction was given in a letter signed on Monday (2 November) by Dr Md Ismail Hossain, assistant director (Barishal) of the finance section of the Directorate of Madrasa Education.
According to the letter, Kishoreganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Arifur Rahman inspected the madrasa on 1 October following various complaints. After the inspection, he sent a report on the madrasa's overall situation to the director general of the directorate.
The inspection report said only 11 of the madrasa's 191 students were present that day. Of its 15 teachers, 13 were present. The other two teachers were absent from their workplace without leave.
One of the two absent teachers, Md Mokhlesur Rahman, was also accused in the report of signing the teachers' attendance register in advance.
The report further noted that regular attendance of students is not taken in any class of the madrasa. No information was found in the institution's office records about students receiving stipends either.
It also noted that mutation (namjari) has not been completed for 63 decimals out of 123 decimals of land recorded in the madrasa's name.
The report said students are becoming averse to the madrasa because of irregular classes and a lack of institutional supervision. The Directorate of Madrasa Education has treated these matters as serious irregularities in the institution's discipline and administrative management.
Citing rule 18(2)(ka) of the Private Educational Institution (Madrasa) Manpower Structure and MPO Policy-2026, the letter said such breaches of institutional discipline allow disciplinary measures such as temporary suspension against MPO-listed teachers, including the head of the institution.
The superintendent has been asked to appear at the directorate to explain the allegations and present the related documents. The two teachers absent without leave and the superintendent have also been directed to show cause why action should not be taken against them under the rules.
Copies of the letter were sent to the madrasa president, the Kishoreganj UNO, the director (administration and finance) of the Directorate of Madrasa Education, and officials of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division of the Ministry of Education.
