Teachers at Jessore Government Girls’ School are irregular at taking classes as they are more engaged in running private tuition business.
The allegation came from a number of students and guardians of the school.
Students had recently lost interest to go to school as only one or two periods are held whereas six to seven periods are scheduled to be held daily, they said.
Students alleged that the teachers try to pursue them to attend their coaching classes and threaten to fail them if they do otherwise.
“The one or two periods that are held are not productive. Teachers neither explain the lessons nor give any home task,” said a student of class seven seeking anonymity.
“The teachers tell us to attend extra coaching classes that are held inside school, if not, they say they would provide us with lesser marks in the exams,” she said.
Three teachers – Rehena Yasmin, Shamima Parvin and Shoriful Islam – have been alleged for pressurising students to take private coaching classes.
At present attendance has sharply fallen in class six, seven and eight because of the teachers’ attitude. Seeing the situation the school authorities have also put up closure notice in front of the gate, said the guardians.
When contacted, Principal of the school Khaleda Khatun said the notice was put up only for the students of class ten.
“Our teachers take classes duly. All of the teachers are well trained and qualified,” she said.
A number of guardians said they were feeling helpless because of the irregularity in holding classes but feared to protest as the consequence might affect their children.
Seeking anonymity, one guardian said she had to hire a home tutor with around Tk4000 for her child.
“Given the current situation, no student in this school can cut good result without a home tutor. Those who cannot afford a home tutor are not doing well,” she said.
Another guardian said these teachers were running a business jeopardising education of the children.
Rehena Yasmin, one of the alleged teachers, said the students do come to school and no girl was pressurised to take coaching classes, they come to coaching classes willfully.
“Everyday six classes are held. A teacher has to give prior notice if he wants to take a leave. A proxy teacher is arranged in such cases,” said another teacher Shamima Parvin.
Regarding the parents’ anxiety, the principal said: “Those who do not come to school take coaching classes outside the school. That is why their parents are anxious.”