Md. Ramzan Hossain Naogaon District Representative:
A government primary school in Naogaon has been accused of taking money for free distribution of new books. This incident took place at Bishnupur Government Primary School in Badalgachhi Upazila of the district. 200 taka is being taken from each student for book distribution. Again, those who are unable to pay, books are not given to them. This has created a stir in the area. However, the head teacher claims that money was taken from the students for school development work, no money was taken for books. It is learned that there are 138 students from pre-primary to fifth grade in that school, most of whom are from minority ethnic communities. All the books were provided to the school students for free distribution of new books on the first day of the year. These books were distributed to the students last Wednesday. However, it has been alleged that the school authorities, ignoring government instructions, collected 200 taka from each student and distributed the books. In this regard, the students of the school said that 200 taka was taken from them for books. The head teacher, Ms. Linda Rakha, has informed that if the money is not paid, the books will not be given. So they were forced to pay 200 taka and took the books. Again, those who did not pay, the books were not given. Some parents including Mahfuz, Abutaleb, Fatma said that the school authorities are collecting money from the students for distributing the books. If they do not pay, the books will not be given. For this reason, their children have brought the books by paying 200 taka. They are demanding that the matter be investigated and necessary measures be taken. In this regard, the head teacher of the school, Ms. Linda Rakha, said, 'If the money is not paid, the books will not be given,' this is not true. Many students who could not pay the money have been given books. However, as per the decision of the school's mother assembly meeting, 200 taka has been taken from the students for the development of the school. So far, only 36 students have paid the money. Today, some parents came and complained and the money was stopped. She also said that the Upazila Education Officer knows about the matter of taking money and he asked him to take 200 taka. Badalgachhi Upazila Education Officer Amirul Islam said, "I am not aware of the matter of taking 200 taka from students on the pretext of school development. If someone gives money for school development, it can be taken. However, I did not give permission to the head teacher, Ms. Linda Rakha, to take money from the students." In this regard, Naogaon District Primary Education Officer Saiful Islam said, "The book distribution policy has given instructions to distribute it free of charge. There is no provision for collecting money in the name of book distribution. If money has been taken in this way, then an investigation will be conducted and action will be taken."
