Two sisters Armina Akter and Marjia Akter were appointed as assistant teachers at Telikandi Government Primary School in 2010 and 2013 respectively but the students say they have never met them.
Students of the school, located at Pakshimul union of Sarail upazila, even said they have never heard of the two teachers.
Armina and Marjia are the daughters of Monir Uddin Ahmed, a freedom fighter and an influential Awami League leader in the upazila. They are continuing their college studies instead of attending the workplace, which is taking a toll on the academic life of the students.
Acting headmistress of the school Kohinur Begum, however, denied any disruption in academic activities, saying the school authorities are aware of the continuous absence of the two.
“Even the upazila primary education officer and the assistant primary education officer know that the two teachers do not take classes,” she said, adding that she is helpless to act in this regard.
Helena Begum, a housewife in the village who studied up to the eighth grade, and Kazi Fakhrul Mobarak alias Nawab Mia, who lives in nearby Kachua village and did not study beyond the tenth grade, take proxy classes for a monthly payment of Tk2,000.
“I have been conducting proxy classes for four years. I take the payment from Armina directly,” Helena said.
Mobarak also admitted that he is taking classes instead of Marjia for nearly one and a half years, and is getting paid Tk2,000 for his service.
“Besides, I have been privately tutoring students for the last 10-12 years,” he said.
The headmistress said the two sisters came to school on September 6 and signed the attendance book for the whole month.
Seeking anonymity, a trader living nearby said nobody dares to raise voice against the irregularities of the two sisters as their father is an influential figure.
The school has four female teachers, including Armina and Marjia. Another assistant teacher Luvly Akter is now out to attend a training course.
Marjia Akter first denied her prolonged absence but later told the Dhaka Tribune she cannot take classes two to three days a week because of her own college studies.
“When I cannot make myself available at the school, I call them and have my leave approved. Besides, no one conducts proxy classes when I am on leave. I do not pay anybody for such classes. The school's management committee takes care of the issue,” she said.
Marjia also denied the signing of the attendance book to leave official proof that she discharged her duties.
President of the school's management committee Helal Uddin said he cannot be present in school daily as he lives in a remote area.
Assistant Primary Education Officer of Sarail upazila Mostafa Kamal said he has no knowledge about this.
“I have not visited the school in the recent past but I met the two sisters the last time I was there,” he said.
Upazila Primary Education Officer Abul Khayer said he is not aware of this as he joined on August 21. He also said he would look into the matter and would take actions accordingly.
District Primary Education Officer Subrata Banik said any teacher, if found to have authorised others to take proxy classes, would be suspended.
“We will launch an investigation and would take action afterwards,” he added.
