The High Court has upheld the requirement that candidates must have passed at least HSC to be eligible for the position of president in the managing committees of private secondary schools and colleges. The decision came following the dismissal of a writ challenging this educational qualification provision.
Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque of the High Court bench issued the order on Monday.
Earlier, a writ petition filed by Cumilla resident Atiqur Rahman contested the stipulation that restricted individuals below HSC qualification from holding the presidency in such committees.
The court heard arguments from both sides, represented by Advocate Md Oji Ullah and Deputy Attorney General Amit Dasgupta.
According to an education ministry gazette published on May 9, this year, the government has established the minimal educational requirements for leading the management
committees at private schools and colleges.
The requirements include completing college successfully and earning the Higher Secondary Certificate degree.
In the past, there was no minimum educational requirement, which allowed unqualified or "self-educated" individuals to lead management bodies, especially in rural areas.
The regulations state that private educational institutions at the lower secondary and secondary levels will be managed by the managing committee. A president will be chosen for each committee. Two representatives will be chosen by the teachers from among themselves. To choose a reserved female teacher representative, female teachers will cast their votes. The managing committee will be in place for a period of two years. A person is not permitted to hold a position on the managing committee of the same educational institution for more than two terms in a row. A person is only allowed to lead two committees at once.
The regulation, outlined in the "Secondary and Higher Secondary Level Private Educational Institutions Governing Body and Managing Committee Regulation-2024," mandates that presidents of these committees must hold at least an HSC or equivalent qualification. Additionally, it restricts individuals from serving as president, teacher representative, or parent representative more than two consecutive terms, allowing for re-election after a term gap.
