A 5th-Grader Teaches 1st-Grade Students at Dhukuriabera Charghughat Government Primary School

Abdur Razzak Babu, from Belkuchi (Sirajganj)

A fifth grade student has been seen teaching Class One students at Dhukuriabera Charghughat Government Primary School in Belkuchi upazila of Sirajganj. This happened even though a teacher was present at the school. The incident has raised questions about teaching at the school, the responsibility of the teachers and the quality of education.

A visit to the school showed that Assistant Teacher Mr. Rafiqul Islam was sitting in the office instead of teaching in a classroom. Meanwhile, a fifth grade student was teaching the Class One students. No clear reason was given for why a student was teaching while a teacher was present. Mr. Rafiqul Islam said the head teacher is on medical leave.

Mr. Rafiqul Islam also said no one has been formally given charge of the school in the head teacher’s absence. When asked who would take responsibility if a problem or an accident happened, he said the three teachers would handle it together. He declined to give details about where the head teacher is. He also refused to share the head teacher’s mobile phone number.

The reporter also asked whether the school had told the Upazila Education Office about the head teacher’s leave. Mr. Rafiqul Islam said he does not see any need to inform the office. School sources said three teachers now take classes for three grades. They could not explain why a fifth grade student was teaching Class One when a teacher was present.

Local residents have made several complaints about the school. They say the standard of teaching is not satisfactory. They say the teachers do not come to school on time. They also say the teachers do not teach properly in the classrooms even when they come. The residents want the authorities to step in, bring discipline back to the school and improve the quality of education.

Upazila Primary Education Officer Ms. Nahida Yasmin spoke on the matter. She said the senior assistant teacher takes charge when the head teacher is absent for any reason. She said no written or formal handover is needed for this. She added that the authorities will take action against any teacher who lets a student teach other classes while the teacher is present at school.