Government primary school teachers in Charfasson, Bhola, have held a press conference protesting various allegations published by several media outlets and on social media against Char Fasson Upazila Primary Education Officer Md. Mizanur Rahman and teachers.

The teachers described the allegations as “motivated, fabricated and false” and strongly condemned the reports. They also demanded legal action against those responsible.

The press conference was held at the Char Fasson Press Club on Monday (September 14) evening. Khorshed Alam read out a written statement. Teacher leaders and senior teachers, including Sirajul Islam, Baharul Islam, Zahirul Islam, Mizanur Rahman and Firoz Nantu, were present.

In the written statement, the teachers said several media outlets and social media platforms had recently published allegations against Upazila Primary Education Officer Md. Mizanur Rahman, including claims of “commission trading” and harassment of teachers by withholding files. The teachers said the allegations were completely baseless, conspiratorial and fabricated.

They alleged that a vested group was spreading defamatory propaganda against the education officer and teachers after failing to achieve its personal interests and obtain undue benefits from the office.

According to the statement, since joining the post, Education Officer Md. Mizanur Rahman has been working to improve the quality of primary education in Char Fasson, restore discipline, address teachers’ demands and conduct regular monitoring. The teachers claimed that those involved in irregularities were frustrated by these initiatives and had therefore launched an organized campaign of misinformation.

The teachers also denied allegations of irregularities in various allocations and harassment of teachers. They claimed that no member of the teaching community had made such allegations against the education officer.

At the press conference, the teachers further alleged that a group was attempting to collect money from teachers by using the names of senior officials in connection with ongoing promotions and transfers. In contrast, they claimed that the Upazila Primary Education Office was conducting these activities without taking any money.

They also alleged that attempts were being made to create divisions among teachers and collect money from different groups. The teachers claimed that in 2022, following allegations of extortion, the then Upazila Nirbahi Officer had instructed the then education officer to take necessary action against those involved.

The written statement named Abdul Hai, headteacher of No. 85 Madhya Uttar Madraz Government Primary School; Abdul Hai, headteacher of No. 69 Madhya Uttar Fasson Government Primary School; and Shafiqul Islam Babul, acting headteacher of No. 53 Gafurpur Government Primary School.

The press conference raised allegations against them, including collecting money by promising postings at preferred schools during promotions, taking Tk 50,000 to Tk 100,000 in the name of transfers, collecting money under the names of “SLIP” and “Need Based” programmes, taking money from each batch of URC training, collecting money in the name of minor repair works and demanding money by threatening teachers with investigations based on complaints filed against them.

The teachers demanded the withdrawal of what they described as “false and motivated” reports against the education officer and teachers and called for legal action against those involved.

They also urged media outlets to refrain from publishing such misleading reports without proper verification. Otherwise, they warned, the teaching community would be compelled to announce tougher programmes.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hai, acting headteacher of No. 69 Madhya Uttar Fasson Government Primary School, said, “We have a dispute with them over the committee. The allegations brought against me at the press conference are completely baseless.”