Twenty-five teachers of Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Government Mohila College who have been appointed illegally are drawing salaries and allowances since the nationalisation of this institution.
Various irregularities have been found in the appointment of these teachers to the college situated at Mirpur in Dhaka. During their recruitment, the college authority did not comply with the directives issued by the Ministry of Education and Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE).
Though Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has made it compulsory for non-government teachers to obtain registration certificates for appointment to private educational institutions, several teachers of this college flouted rules.
Besides, the college authority has appointed them without getting approval from NTRCA although the Education Ministry in its notification states that any recruitment will be illegal without approval from NTRCA after October 22, 2015. Even the teachers appointed on an ad hoc basis did not take class until August 11, 2021 when the college was nationalised. During this time, they worked at various institutions but were receiving salaries and allowances since August 11, 2021. Some were employed at multiple institutions simultaneously or went abroad without leave. Additionally, some joined the college with retrospective effect.
Furthermore, teachers were appointed for honours subjects not affiliated with the National University, but they are still receiving salaries and allowances.
Despite various irregularities such as lack of proper qualifications, registration certificates, and DG representative signatures found in the recruitment process, they were appointed as teachers (non-cadre) to Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Government Mohila College, according to a gazette notification issued on June 26, 2023.
The minutes of the meeting on post creation held on March 3, 2022 to absorb the teachers and staff to the private college revealed these information.
The teachers are Jannatul Ferdaus, Shamim Reza, Mohammad Abdus Salam, Mosammat Wana Marzia, Farzana Feroz, and Sharmin Akhter (Management Department), Israt Jahan, Sajeda Khatun, Billal Hossain, Md Bakhtiar Hossain, Md Jihad, and Md Zahrul Islam (Accounting Department), Sabina Yasmin, Selina Akhter, Umme Habiba, Sanjida Binte Shaheed, and Amena Begum (Home Economics), Md Mahbubul Arifin (Islamic studies), Md Rashidul Islam and Md Aptabul Alam (Marketing), Mohtasima Begum and Anjan Kumar Roy (Philosophy), Mosammat Rokeya Sultana (Psychology), Mohammad Zahidul Islam (Bengali), Md Zahurul Islam (degree-level Accounting), and Ataur Rahman (Political Science).
Political science teacher Ataur Rahman told the Bangladesh Post, “Before the nationalisation of the college, the ministry asked for clarification regarding various issues. We have given explanations.”
When asked about the issue of missing DG representative signatures on the exam results, he said, “NU and others sent their representatives except the DSHE DG office. So, there was no signature from the DG office representative on my exam result.”
Accounting teacher Bakhtiar Hossain told the Bangladesh Post “The post for degree and honours is non-MPO at the college. That is why the DSHE DG office is reluctant to send their representative.”
Home Economics Teacher Sabina Yasmin told the Bangladesh Post, “I have given clarification to the ministry concerned. That’s why I was finally appointed.”
College sources said that since the appointment of these teachers was illegal, former principal Manju Manowar reportedly facilitated their appointment by transacting a substantial sum of money.
When contacted, Syeda Nawara Jahan, Additional Secretary (College Division) of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), told the Bangladesh Post, “I have joined the directorate recently. So, I don’t know nothing about this matter.”
