Principal received more housing allowance than a secretary

Government rules state that a principal is entitled to a maximum housing allowance of Tk 6,450 at a rate of 10 percent. But Motaleb Hossain, principal of Kachkura ignored that rule. He pocketed nearly Tk 41,000 every month, surpassing even a government secretary in terms of housing allowance. Even the maximum limit set by the governing body failed to contain him. Together with two other teachers, he took more than Tk 1.1 million in housing allowances in just three years.

At the same time, a recent on-site investigation by the Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) under the Ministry of Education found evidence of serious irregularities against Principal Motaleb, including VAT and tax evasion and the appointment of an uncertified teacher. The investigation was conducted by a team comprising two assistant education inspectors and one auditor from the DIA.

The audit report said the abnormal housing allowances received by the three teachers should be treated as misappropriation. It also recommended administrative action against them and said measures should be taken to deposit the misappropriated money into the college fund.

Those involved in the investigation said teachers and staff of private educational institutions receive housing allowances equal to 10 percent of their basic salary as part of government grants. However, the allowance cannot be less than Tk 1,000. In 2025, following protests by teachers, the government increased the housing allowance to 15 percent. A private educational institution may provide additional housing allowances or other benefits from its own funds, but it must be done within the rules. Such benefits must be approved by the institution’s governing committee and supported by its financial capacity. Although no maximum limit is specified, the allowance should not exceed that of government employees. That means 60 percent of the basic salary in divisional cities and Savar municipality and 55 percent in district towns. A Grade-1 secretary receives nearly Tk 39,000 as housing allowance. In other words, Principal Motaleb received more housing allowance than a secretary.

The investigation report reviewed Motaleb Hossain’s housing allowance records from July 2022 to June 2025. A review of salary documents showed that he received Tk 40,845 per month as housing allowance. Under government rules, however, he was entitled to only Tk 1,000. Accordingly, if government regulations are applied, he received Tk 1,434,420 more than the prescribed limit over the past three years. The irregularity remains even when the governing body’s approval is taken into account. Although the committee approved a maximum housing allowance of Tk 30,240, the principal took even more in violation of the rules. Even based on the committee’s approval, the amount of excess money he received over the past three years stands at Tk 1,042,050.

An investigation by Agamir Somoy found that Principal Motaleb Hossain received a job offer to serve as principal at another renowned college in the capital. When students demanded that he stay, the governing committee increased his salary by Tk 20,000 to retain him. That amount was later shown as housing allowance, which has now drawn audit objections.

Similarly, retired Assistant Professor Sudhir Chandra Das received Tk 13,832 in excess housing allowances, while Mustafaizur Rahman, a lecturer in library science, received Tk 60,770 in excess allowances. The DIA identified the money as “illegal and refundable to the general fund” and recommended its immediate recovery.

The record of corruption at Kachkura College was not limited to housing allowances. The principal evaded nearly Tk 375,000 in government VAT and taxes through various purchases. The investigation team also found evidence of uncertified teacher appointments and severe academic and infrastructural shortcomings.

According to the report submitted by the investigation team, Habiba Sultana was appointed as a lecturer in management at the undergraduate level on Jan. 1, 2015, despite not having a teacher registration certificate. Her appointment has been declared illegal and not in compliance with regulations.

College records show that although the institution has 1.48 acres of land, only 0.3022 acres have been officially registered in the college’s name. The investigation team expressed concern that the remaining land remains at risk of being lost because it has not yet been registered.

The science group in Grade 11 and the Bachelor of Social Science (Honors) program do not have the expected number of students. Even in National University public examinations, the desired number of students and examinees did not participate in the Bachelor of Arts (Pass) and Bachelor of Business Studies groups. The girls’ common room is not properly equipped. There are no adequate washrooms, sports equipment or other necessary facilities.

The investigation found that no course plans or daily lesson plans are prepared at the beginning of the academic year. There are no regular class tests, assignments or multimedia classes. The college has no stock-taking committee to oversee furniture and assets worth millions of taka. No annual stock-taking or audit is conducted.

On the overall issue, Prof. M M Shahidul Islam, director of the Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA), said there are specific regulations of the Ministry of Education regarding housing allowances. Receiving housing allowances outside those regulations amounts directly to a financial offense. He said recommendations have been made to return all money received in violation of the rules to the college fund and to submit bank deposit receipts and statements.

Regarding VAT and tax evasion, illegal teacher appointments and land-related complications, the DIA director said, “VAT and tax evasion and appointing teachers without registration or certification are serious fraud. We have recommended that the ministry take action in accordance with the rules, including departmental action against the accused.”

Asked about the matter, Principal Motaleb Hossain told Agamir Somoy, “Not only housing allowance, but this amount also included city allowance, transportation and several other sectors. I got a job at another college, and students protested to keep me here. Then the governing body increased my salary by Tk 20,000 to retain me, which was listed under city allowance, transportation bills and other sectors. This decision was taken with the approval of the committee.”

Regarding the DIA’s objections, he said, “In response to these objections, we will submit all evidence, including the committee’s resolutions, as a written reply.”