A primary school teacher in Chuadanga has “married” her underage son to an 11-year-old fifth-grader of the school she works at.
The incident, which took place in Titudoho union of Chuadanga Sadar upazila, came to light recently, after neighbours reported the matter to the authorities.
Locals said the marriage took place on March 20, but had been kept under wraps.
Samsunnahar of Begumpur Primary School said she had married off her son to fulfil the wishes of her ailing mother.
“My mother wished to see my son get married before she died. We only followed the rituals, the marriage was not registered,” she said.
The fifth-grader girl was also seen going to classes wearing a burqa, with henna stains still visible on her hands.
The marriage officiant who allegedly officiated the marriage, Mofizul Islam, said he had done no such thing, adding that he was being framed.
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When asked about the incident, Primary Education Officer Mostafizur Rahman said: "It is not our responsibility to look into such matters."
Chuadanga Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shamim Bhuiyan said the authorities would take action if the allegations were true.
Begumpur Union Parishad Chairman Ali Hossain Joarddar said he was trying his best rid the union of child marriage. “I do not understand how a school teacher can do such a thing," he added.
A recent Unicef report said 51.4% of girls are getting married before turning 18 in Bangladesh.
According to a Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) research, 13,886 girls between the ages of 10 and 17 years got married amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The research was conducted in 21 districts of the country.
It also suggested that in 78% of the cases, the parents were found to be prime instigators behind child marriage.