Acting head of Uttara High School and College promises justice as teacher suspended over registration irregularities

The acting principal of Uttara High School and College, Ivana Talukder, has promised to stand by two students who were unfairly barred from sitting their SSC exams due to alleged administrative negligence. The institution has suspended a teacher and formed an investigation committee to probe the incident.

In a press conference held at the school's auditorium on Saturday at 11 a.m., Principal Talukder described the incident as unjust and vowed institutional support for the affected students, Sajjad Hossain and Yasin Arafat. Other teachers were also present during the media briefing.

The controversy surfaced after Sajjad and Yasin, both final-year students, were denied their SSC exam admit cards and barred from taking the public exam on Thursday. In a desperate plea for justice, the students held a press conference themselves on Friday afternoon outside the school’s gate in Sector 7, Uttara, Dhaka, appealing for intervention from the Chief Adviser.

Their families were present during the students’ media appearance. They alleged that due to mismanagement by the college administration, the students never received their exam registration papers—despite being eligible and academically capable.

Following the uproar, the college temporarily suspended Dr. Md. Aminur Rahman, the teacher responsible for registering students. A formal investigation committee has been set up and is expected to submit its findings within seven days.

According to Principal Ivana Talukder, the class in question had 85 qualified students under Dr. Rahman's supervision, including the two affected—Yasin Arafat and Shahadat Hossain. Instead of registering them, the teacher allegedly submitted names of two other students, Mashfikul Ali and Mehedi Hasan.

“We don’t know why he made such a change. What we do know is that he neglected his duties and may have intentionally compromised the institution’s integrity,” Talukder said during the briefing. She also hinted at the possibility of financial misconduct but stressed that an investigation would uncover the truth.

She added, “Sajjad and Yasin are both brilliant students. There was no reason to leave them out unless there was an ulterior motive. Such actions damage the reputation of the institution and undermine student trust.”

When asked about allegations of threats or financial irregularities, Talukder denied any such incidents from the administration's side. “There’s no evidence yet of threats or financial extortion, but we are committed to transparency and will act on whatever the investigation reveals,” she said.

Since the incident, Dr. Aminur Rahman has gone missing and cannot be reached for comment or clarification. His absence has further intensified suspicion around the case.

The case has sparked public outrage, raising concerns about mismanagement within private institutions and the lack of accountability in student affairs. Education rights activists have demanded immediate measures to ensure justice for Sajjad and Yasin and to prevent such mishaps in the future.

In closing remarks, the principal said, “We deeply regret the distress caused to the students and their families. We are taking this matter seriously, and we promise to do everything necessary to ensure this kind of injustice does not happen again.”