College in Gopalganj's Muksudpur has 14 teachers, but its only HSC examinee also failed

Durbashur Adarsha Secondary School and College in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj has 14 teachers. Yet only one examinee from the college sat this year's HSC examination, and that student did not pass either. The result has raised questions about the institution's quality of education, teaching activities and management.

The institution is located at Bahugram in Muksudpur upazila. Durbashur Adarsha Secondary School was founded in 1988. All 14 teachers of the school are MPO-listed and receive salary and allowances.

College activities at Durbashur Adarsha Secondary School began in 2009-10. The college has science, humanities and commerce streams. But college students are taught by the same 14 teachers of the school section.

In this year's HSC examination, only one student took part, from the humanities stream. No students were enrolled in the other two streams.

The HSC results published on 31 October showed that the sole student had also failed. Once the matter became known, it drew discussion and criticism. Many have blamed the governing body and the teachers, including the head of the institution, for such a state of affairs.

A visit to the college, however, found a different picture on the ground. There is not a single student at the college. Secondary school activities are being run in the college classrooms. Teachers said that although there are 14 teachers including the principal on paper, in reality there is not a single teacher at the college. College teaching is carried on with school teachers. As a result, students enrol but study elsewhere. When information about the college from previous years was sought, the college authorities did not want to provide it.

School teachers said that although there are 14 teachers including the principal on paper, the college section has no teacher in reality. College teaching activities are conducted by the school's teachers. As a result, many students, even after enrolling at the college, go and study at other institutions.

Jharna Rani Biswas, head teacher of the school section and acting principal of the college section, said students are hard to find because the college is in a rural area. For that reason, teachers also do not come to the college. They have no enthusiasm for enrolling students either. She said she is continuing to try, adding that she spends money from her own pocket every year.

The college's founder, Paritosh Sarkar, said there were teachers at the time approval was obtained. They left because they were not brought under the MPO. In his words, it would be good if it were shut down.

Assistant Secondary Education Officer Md Nazrul Islam said they have learned of the matter. A letter will be sent to the higher authorities to take action against the college, he said.