Family Ties: Headteacher’s Relatives Dominate School Staff, Raising Eyebrows
Ghanirampur Baragola High School: A Hub of Corruption and Nepotism
Ghanirampur Baragola High School, located in Taraganj Upazila of Rangpur, has been embroiled in a web of corruption and nepotism. The school, which was established in 1995, has 21 teachers and staff members, including 7 members of the headteacher’s family.
Allegations have been made that the principal, Aliar Rahman, has secretly appointed his wife, brother, nephew, and nephew’s wife to various positions without following the rules. This has led to irregularities and corruption within the school.
According to school sources, Aliar Rahman was appointed as the principal of the school in 1996. He then made his elder brother, Mofizal Rahman, the president of the management committee. This marked the beginning of a pattern of nepotism and corruption within the school.
Local residents and parents have complained that the principal and president have appointed relatives to various positions without paying attention to the rules. In 2000, the headmaster’s wife, Alya Begum, was appointed as an assistant headmaster. In 2004, the headmaster’s nephew, Azam Ali, was appointed as an assistant teacher. In 2016, the headmaster’s nephew’s wife, Morsheda Begum, was appointed as an assistant teacher.
In 2022, another nephew was appointed as a peon, and in 2023, another nephew was appointed as a sweeper. These appointments were made without following the proper procedures and have led to allegations of corruption and nepotism.
Gholam Rasool, a donor member of the school, has complained that the principal did not retain any of the original committee members. Instead, he appointed his relatives to various positions. Rasool has also alleged that the principal has been involved in irregularities and corruption within the school.
Lebu Mia, a resident of the Ghanirampur area, has stated that the headmaster has developed the institution as a family school. This has led to a lack of transparency and accountability within the school.
An assistant teacher from the school, who wished to remain anonymous, has alleged that the headmaster’s wife comes to the school only one or two days a week. The teacher has also alleged that the headmaster insults teachers who speak out against him and collects money from students on various pretexts.
Parents and students have also complained that the principal has been involved in financial corruption and has collected money from students without receipts. The principal has also been accused of threatening teachers and students who speak out against him.
When asked about the allegations, the principal, Aliar Rahman, denied any wrongdoing. He stated that he had established the school with his brother and that the appointments were made according to the rules.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rubel Rana has stated that a show cause notice was issued to the principal regarding the allegations. The matter is set to be discussed on Sunday.
