MPO of 13 schools in Nilphamari Sadar suspended

The schools are Shahid Zia Girls' High School, Rabeya Balika Bidya Niketan, Ramganj B L High School, Nagor Darwani High School, Pancha Pukur Girls' High School, Darulhuda High School, Kokai Barogachha P C High School, Chowra Boragachha High School, Khoksabari M U High School, Dakshin Junior high School, Shalbari Junior High School, Gorgram High School, and Charia Khola School and College.

An amount of Tk 7,35,140 was misappropriated from the schools. The break-up is as follows: Shahid Zia Girls' High School- Tk 44,410; Rabeya Balika Bidya Niketan- Tk 1,17,600; Ramganj B L High School-Tk 26,900; Nagor Darwani High School- Tk 81,300; Pancha Pukur Girls' High School- Tk 83,790; Darulhuda High School- Tk 39,510; Kokai Barogachha P C High School- Tk 46,140; Chowra Boragachha High School-Tk 45,030; Khoksabari M U High School-Tk 55,750; Dakshin Junior high School-Tk 38,160; Shalbari Junior High School-Tk 37,280 ; Gorgram High School-Tk 61,170 and Charia Khola School and College-Tk 58,380.

When contacted with the Sadar Upazila Education Officer (UEO), he said the action was taken at the directive of Abdur Razzak, project director (PD) of Female Stipend Project (Second phase) of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board.

Earlier, a high level probe body was formed last year to investigate the anomaly in disbursement of female stipend money in the educational institutions.

As per investigation done in the month of December 2006, the team detected misappropriation of fund of female stipend in the 13 schools. An amount of Tk 7 lakh was misappropriated from the fund by showing fake and disqualified female students. Even, tuition fees collected from students were also misappropriated, he said.

After investigation, the director of Female Stipend Project (second phase) gave seven days ultimatum to the headmasters of those schools to return the embezzled money but they could not return the money within the stipulated time.