Sylhet, Sep 15 (V7N) - Educational institutions across Sylhet are facing significant instability, causing concern among educators and aware citizens. The respect for both students and teachers is deteriorating in this unsettled environment, with the trend of forcibly demanding resignations from school, college, and madrasa heads becoming alarmingly common.
 
Despite a recent directive from the Ministry advising against forced resignations, some overly zealous students are still pressuring school heads to step down. This has led to multiple incidents across various schools, colleges, and madrasas in Sylhet. Behind these disruptions are certain school principals, opposing teachers, and committee members who, failing to achieve their personal goals, are inciting students to create turmoil. There have even been reports of physical altercations involving teachers.
 
Following the reopening of educational institutions in Sylhet city and surrounding districts, instances of disorder have emerged. Teachers, officials, and staff are facing abuse, with illegal actions such as harassment and forced resignations becoming increasingly common under the guise of anti-discrimination student movements. Many teachers are being subjected to baseless lawsuits and coerced into resigning.
 
Among the incidents, two college principals in Sylhet were compelled to resign: Ershad Ali, Acting Principal of Dhaka Dakkhin Government College, and Husne Ara Begum, Principal of Blue-Bird School and College.
 
In another case, Blue-Bird School and College's mathematics teacher, Dipak Chowdhury Bulbul, attempted to flee the campus amid student protests. When some students became aggressive, others shielded him and assisted him in escaping by rickshaw. Students accused Principal Husne Ara Begum and teacher Dipak Chowdhury Bulbul of being affiliated with the Awami League. Similar disruptions have occurred at Kishore Mohon Girls' High School in Sylhet, where students organized a human chain and protest demanding the resignation of Principal Goura Ghosh. They even surrounded his office in protest.
 
Similar unrest has been reported at South Surma Siraj Uddin Ahmed Academy and other institutions in Golapganj upazila. At Hetimganj Atariya High School and Mofazzil Ali High School in Baderpasha Union, students have also engaged in disruptive behavior towards the principals. Notably, at Golapganj Kudir Bazar Badshar Model Fazil Madrasa, Principal Shoaibur Rahman was forcibly made to resign by anti-discrimination student movement leaders after students were physically assaulted. This incident has stirred significant unrest in the local area, leading to widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally.
 
The situation is similarly troubling at the Nasser Uddin High School in Badeswar. There is a lack of accountability from both the administration and management committees in addressing the inhumane treatment of teachers. Educational institutions are left without proper oversight, and political interference is evident in the attempts to force resignations. This has resulted in a chaotic environment within schools. Additionally, reports indicate that some teachers are being politically targeted and harassed with false cases due to personal vendettas.
 
Faruk Mahmud Chowdhury, President of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN) Sylhet, remarked, "The actions of students against teachers based on allegations of irregularities and corruption are unacceptable. Complaints about corrupt teachers should be filed through proper channels with educational authorities, who should then take appropriate action according to the rules. What is happening now is regrettable."
 
Dr. Tahmina Islam, Professor of Social Work at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, stated, "The gains made by the anti-discrimination student movements are commendable, but the current actions in schools and colleges are entirely unjustifiable. Complaints against teachers should be handled through proper procedures, and if necessary, investigations should be conducted. It is unacceptable for students to force teachers into resignation. We urge guardians to step in to control the situation."
 
An anonymous guardian expressed concern, saying, "The inhumane treatment of teachers and the forceful resignations under the pretext of student movements are unprecedented in Bangladesh. All guardians and families need to be aware. Those involved in these disgraceful acts face a bleak future. We must guide rebellious students away from such actions to preserve respect between students and teachers in future generations."
 
END/AKR/SMA/