A school teacher has been suspended for allegedly sexually harassing students of his school sporadically for a long period of time in Gopalganj.
The authorities of Kotalipara SN Institution have formed a five member probe committee to investigate a recent allegation of harassment against him raised by students, their parents, and teachers of the school.
The accused teacher is Milon Hossain. He joined the school eight years ago as an assistant teacher.
Atikuzzman Badal, a member of the school’s managing committee, said that arbitration took place twice before, as the teacher was previously accused of harassing female students by making indecent proposals.
"Milon was not fired from the school earlier because he is a meritorious teacher. We gave him several opportunities so that he behaves himself. But he didn't. Now further actions will be taken if he is proven guilty of the recent allegation," said Badal.
Ratan Mitra, the head of the investigation committee, said they have found the recent allegations against Milon to be true and the report will be filed with the authorities on Sunday.
On June 24, Milon allegedly made inappropriate offers to an ex-student of the school. The college-going girl informed her parents of the matter after she had to suffer the harassment.
The girl's mother said: "We want our children to learn discipline from the teachers. But what good can we expect from teachers who harrass their students?"
Another former student of the school said: "Milon Hossain sir made inappropriate advances to me, offering that I will be given a pass mark in the selection test examination for the Secondary School Certificate exam. At that time I had informed a few teachers, but they advised me to suppress the matter."
Rafikul Islam, the headmaster of the school, said: "Milon Hossain does not behave like a teacher with the students; I have nothing else to say."
The accused teacher Milon Hossain denied the allegations against him and said: "I have fame in the school as a good educator. I was suspended due to a conspiracy."
Kotalipara Upazila Secondary Education Officer Mahbubur Rahman said: "These kinds of teachers should not be kept at schools. We will take necessary actions against the teacher as per the rules, after the probe committee submits their report."
