Mishon Acharya, a 30-year-old master’s graduate who overcame severe financial hardship to qualify for a government primary school teaching job, is facing uncertainty over his appointment because of complications concerning his permanent address.
Mishon completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Finance and Banking from Islamic University. He later took the recruitment examination for assistant teachers at government primary schools and was recommended for appointment on merit after passing the written and viva voce examinations.
However, the Jhenaidah District Primary Education Office has withheld his appointment letter, citing legal complications concerning his permanent address.
Of the 182 candidates selected from Jhenaidah district, 180 have already received their appointment letters, while Mishon is still waiting for a decision on his case.
Mishon’s struggle began in childhood. His father, Nanda Acharya, came to Jhenaidah from Jessore, married and started a family here. But he left his wife after she became pregnant with Mishon, their second child.
Mishon’s mother, Moyna Acharya, then raised her two children alone. She moved to a rented house in the Kalabagan area of Jhenaidah town and worked as a domestic help in other people’s homes to support the family.
His elder brother, Shailen Acharya, could not continue his education for long because of the family’s financial hardship. But Moyna continued to support Mishon’s studies with her meagre earnings, determined to help him pursue his education.
After completing university and passing the written and viva voce examinations for the government job, Mishon expected better days ahead. Instead, he encountered another hurdle over his permanent address.
His national identity card and all educational certificates carry the address of their rented home in Kalabagan, and a police investigation reportedly verified the address.
Despite this, the District Primary Education Office has withheld his appointment on the grounds that he does not have a permanent address.
Mishon owns two decimals of land in Panditpur village in Sadar upazila, which was given to him by his maternal uncle Bishnupada Biswas. But he has been unable to build even a tin-roofed house there because of financial constraints. His plan was to use his first month's salary to build a small house on the land.
After learning about Mishon’s predicament, his classmates and friends have raised the issue on social media and with the administration.
His friend Jihad Hossain, who received his appointment letter in Moheshpur, described the issue as unfair.
“After overcoming extreme poverty since childhood and qualifying to become a teacher, Mishon is now being held up simply because he does not own land or a house in his name. We will continue to pursue the matter with the Directorate of Primary Education,” he said.
Jhenaidah District Primary Education Officer Mohammad Amzad Hossain said the office has been closely examining Mishon’s application.
“It is not possible to make a decision at the district level due to the legal complications concerning his permanent address. However, the entire matter has been sent in writing to the Directorate of Primary Education. We hope a positive solution will come from the directorate,” he said.
Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Md Noman Hossain said the administration discussed the issue with the education office to address the complications concerning Mishon’s permanent address.
“The matter has been brought to the attention of the directorate, and we hope it will be resolved reasonably soon,” he said.
