Chandpur teacher, office assistant relieved over derogatory Facebook posts

A teacher and an office assistant of Matlabganj Pilot Balika High School in Chandpur's Matlab South upazila have been temporarily relieved of their duties over allegations of making derogatory and objectionable remarks on Facebook about President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. At the same time, a three-member committee has been formed to investigate the allegations.

The order to relieve them of their duties was given by KM Ishmam, president of the school's governing body and Upazila Executive Officer of Matlab South, at noon on Thursday, September 24. The two relieved of duties are Juel Talukder, assistant teacher of Bengali at the school, and office assistant Md Sumon.

According to school and upazila administration sources, allegations recently surfaced that derogatory and objectionable posts about the President and the Prime Minister were made from Juel Talukder's personal Facebook ID. Office assistant Sumon has been accused of making objectionable comments by sharing those posts. After learning about the matter, several individuals, including local political leaders and activists, complained to the Upazila Executive Officer with information and evidence of the posts.

After receiving the complaint, Juel Talukder was temporarily kept away from classroom activities and Sumon from office work, following discussions with members of the school's governing body and the head teacher.

A three-member committee has been formed to investigate the allegations, headed by Upazila Secondary Education Officer Zakir Hossain. The other two members of the committee are Social Services Officer Titu Chandra Dhar and Primary Education Officer (acting) Abdul Hai. The committee has been asked to submit its report within two working days.

Matlab South Upazila Executive Officer KM Ishmam said that following the complaint, the teacher has been kept away from classroom activities and the office assistant from office work. If the allegations are proven in the investigation, further action will be taken against them.