Ulipur school office assistant accused of drawing salary for two years while absent, inquiry begins

Nazrul Islam, office assistant at Hatia Bhavesh Adarsha High School in Ulipur upazila of Kurigram and president of the banned upazila unit of Chhatra League, has been accused of regularly drawing his salary and allowances while remaining absent from his workplace for a long time.

Following written complaints from guardians and local residents, the upazila secondary education office has started an inquiry.

According to the complaint, Nazrul Islam joined Hatia Bhavesh Adarsha High School as an office assistant at the start of 2022. In November of the same year, he became president of the upazila Chhatra League.

It is alleged that he stopped going to the school after 5 August 2024.

Complainants say his uncle and the school head teacher, Maidul Islam, concealed the absence and kept showing him present in the attendance register. As a result, Nazrul Islam was able to draw his government salary and allowances regularly, local residents allege.

Shah Alam, a land donor of the school and a guardian of a student, filed a written complaint with the upazila secondary education officer.

Following that, upazila secondary education officer (additional charge) Sajjad Hossain visited the school on Thursday noon. During the visit, office assistant Nazrul Islam was found absent.

At that time, students said they had not seen Nazrul Islam come to the school since the mass uprising.

Local people including Enamul Haque, Maidul, Harun, Sirajul, Shahjamal, Nannu and Manik Mia allege that head teacher Maidul Islam has turned the school into a family institution. They say six of his relatives are employed there, including as assistant teacher, office assistant, aya, cleaner and night guard.

Assistant teacher Mohammad Ali said Nazrul Islam used to come to the school occasionally before, but he has not been seen for some time.

Complainant Shah Alam said Nazrul Islam has not come to the school for a long time, yet with the head teacher’s help he is shown present in the attendance register and draws salary and allowances. Seeking a proper inquiry and remedy, he has filed written complaints with the upazila nirbahi officer and the upazila secondary education officer.

Nazrul Islam’s comment on the allegations could not be obtained as he is in hiding.

Head teacher Maidul Islam said Nazrul Islam used to come to the school regularly before, but he is absent in the current month of November. Asked why, he said Nazrul is on leave. When asked to show a copy of the leave application, he said it is at home.

Asked about six of his relatives working at the school, the head teacher could not give a satisfactory answer.

Upazila secondary education officer (additional charge) Sajjad Hossain said that after receiving the complaint he visited the school and did not find office assistant Nazrul Islam. The attendance register, leave application and other necessary documents have been collected from the school. He said it would not be right to comment now for the sake of the inquiry, and a written report will be sent to the higher authorities after the inquiry ends.

Upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) A. T. M. Arif confirmed receiving the complaint and said the upazila secondary education officer has been instructed to inquire into the matter and take necessary action.