EDUCATION
Daulatpur’s 194 Scholarship Winners Left Empty-Handed Since 2022
In Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia, more than 190 students who earned government primary scholarships in 2022 have yet to receive their promised stipend money, sparking anger and frustration among parents and students.
According to the Upazila Primary Education Office, 2,310 students from 284 schools in Daulatpur sat for the Primary Scholarship Examination in December 2022. Out of them, 194 students—109 in the talent pool and 85 in general grade—secured scholarships. However, despite instructions in April 2024 for parents to open bank accounts at scheduled banks and submit details, none of the recipients have received any funds.
The scholarships were intended to support students from Grade 6 to Grade 8, but nearly three years later the payment period is almost over. Many families fear the lapse will undermine their children’s motivation and development.
“I earned the talent pool scholarship from Taragunia Government Model Primary School in 2022. I’m now in Grade 8, but I’ve not received a single payment of the promised Tk 300 per month,” said scholarship holder Abu Obaidullah Siddiq.
Parents also expressed dismay. Bulbul Ahmed, father of a recipient, said: “Money is not the main issue, but such experiences at the start of life may harm their morale and intellectual growth.” Tahmina Khatun, another parent, added that her daughter had “lost motivation after not receiving recognition for her hard work.”
Officials offered conflicting explanations. Upazila Primary Education Officer Mostak Ahmed said the stipend release was under the jurisdiction of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and that similar issues exist nationwide. Academic Supervisor Kamal Hossain claimed the funds were supposed to be handled by the secondary schools where students are now enrolled.
At the school level, Zohurul Islam, headteacher of Daulatpur Pilot Girls’ High School, confirmed that all required documents and bank details had been submitted “on time,” but the money never arrived. Acting District Education Officer Abu Tayeb Md. Yunus Ali admitted he could not clarify the reasons and promised to consult higher authorities.
Meanwhile, students and parents remain disappointed as the three-year wait continues, with no clear solution in sight.
Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Dal staged a protest at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday, condemning the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Manch. The demonstration began around 5:30 pm when protesters marched from the Central Shaheed Minar to the hospital, where Hadi is currently receiving treatment.
Chhatra Dal’s central president, Rakibul Islam Rakib, and secretary, Nasir Uddin Nasir, were present at the protest. The demonstrators chanted slogans demanding immediate arrest of those responsible, including “Why was Hadi shot? Interim answer now” and “Direct action.”
Earlier in the afternoon, armed assailants shot Hadi in the Bijoynagar culvert area. He was rescued and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Following the attack, additional police and security personnel were deployed around the hospital. Authorities are working to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the shooting
In Noakhali’s Hatiya upazila, the annual exams of more than four hundred students at Charkailash Government Primary School are being conducted by the headteacher alone, due to an ongoing work stoppage by assistant teachers. On 2 December, the assistant teachers were seen staying inside the office room while headteacher Monowara Hoque managed the examinations single-handedly.
Handling five classes at once has resulted in significant disorder during the exams. With no monitoring in several rooms, students were observed talking openly, copying from notebooks, and moving about freely. Concerned parents expressed frustration, saying that exam standards are being severely compromised and students’ academic futures are at risk.
Assistant teachers said they are observing the nationwide work stoppage to press for three demands, including 11th grade status and promotion. They warned of tougher programmes if their demands remain unmet.
Headteacher Monowara Hoque stated that while she respects the teachers’ movement, she is conducting the exams based on instructions from the DPEO, ADPEO and ATEO. She added that she is receiving support from former students to continue the examinations so that children do not fall behind.
Upazila Primary Education Officer Abdul Jabbar said that exams are being conducted in 79 out of Hatiya’s 227 schools. He added that further decisions regarding the remaining schools will be taken by the authorities.
The government has warned that secondary school teachers who suspended students’ examinations are in violation of civil service rules and will face disciplinary action. The caution came from Education Adviser Professor Dr C R Abrar during an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on Monday.
Dr Abrar said the teachers’ decision to halt examinations amounts to a breach of the government’s code of conduct, adding that the authorities have taken a firm stance on the matter. He urged teachers to resume examinations immediately to ease pressure on students and their parents.
The adviser described the demand for upgrading teachers to the ninth grade as unjustified, saying they had joined service knowing they would remain in the tenth grade. He noted that the ninth grade is typically reserved for BCS administration cadre officers and involves inter-ministerial coordination, meaning teachers cannot be placed there unilaterally.
Dr Abrar further alleged that the teachers were “using students as instruments” by suspending examinations during their movement, which he termed unethical. He warned that failure to conduct exams from the next day would result in disciplinary action under civil service regulations.