students' demands dismissed, authorities 'rewarded'

The protest of students of Kurigram Government Girls High School continued on Sunday demanding the dismissal and punishment of the head teacher. The district city was rocked by protests throughout the day, including boycotting education programs, sit-in programs by blocking roads and surrounding the District Commissioner's office.

In view of the demands of the students, the authorities have ordered the transfer of the head teacher Rukhsana Parveen to Lalmonirhat in Swashuraloy district on Sunday afternoon.
In the face of students' agitation, the Department of Secondary and Higher Education ordered the transfer of the head teacher Rukhsana Parveen to Lalmonirhat Government High School on Sunday afternoon.

However, the protesting students rejected the transfer order. They are saying, 'Our demand is to dismiss the head teacher Rukhsana Parveen and investigate her corruption and irregularities. But the authorities rewarded him by transferring him to a school near his residence. We reject such a decision.

The protestors announced this decision from the district commissioner's premises after protesting all day on Sunday. Later they returned home announcing that they will continue their agitation until their demands are met. Parents and teachers were present with them.

The students staged a protest demanding the removal of head teacher Rukhsana Parveen, alleging arbitrariness, autocratic behavior and corruption and irregularities. The students have announced to stop all educational activities by locking various rooms including the administrative building of the school. They demanded the dismissal of the headmaster and the payment of the income and expenditure account of the school for the last 15 years during his tenure. The headmaster covered his head after seeing the movement of the students. He has been absent from school for several days. Hundreds of students of the school are continuing the agitation in his absence.

The protesting students and some teachers of the school said, 'Transfer is not punishment. Instead he was rewarded with a transfer to the residence. We reject such order. Rukhsana Parveen must face justice for her actions. He should be fired for that. Besides, action against him should be taken under the Anti-Corruption Act, including a departmental case. Otherwise students will not return to class. If the demand is not met, a stricter stance will be taken. The sit-in program will be held again from Tuesday morning.

In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif said, "Despite ordering the transfer of the head teacher, the students refused it. The decisions and demands of the students have been communicated to the authorities.