Fraud at Monipur and Bonpara Schools, PM Reacts Strongly

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed dissatisfaction after reviewing investigation reports into allegations of irregularities, corruption, and fraud at the much-discussed Monipur School in Mirpur, Dhaka, and Bonpara Ideal School and College in Haluaghat upazila of Mymensingh.

Earlier, Agamir Somoy published reports on May 18 titled ‘Loot of Tk 6.02 Billion at Monipur School’ and on May 19 titled ‘73 of 76 Teachers Found Fraudulent.’ Following these reports, the Prime Minister called for the files related to the summary of the investigation reports from the respective institutions. The Ministry of Education subsequently assigned the Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) to prepare the summaries on an urgent basis.

Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque told Agamir Somoy, “The Prime Minister was surprised and angered after seeing reports of irregularities in these two educational institutions in the media. We have instructed the DIA to prepare the summaries as quickly as possible and submit them to the ministry.”

According to the DIA investigation report, Monipur School embezzled Tk 60.275 billion over the past 16 years from 2009 to 2024. A syndicate led by former MP for Dhaka-15 and former school managing committee president Kamal Ahmed Majumder, along with fugitive acting principal Farhad Hossain, carried out the financial irregularities.

Of the total amount, Tk 43.6 billion was embezzled in the construction of buildings alone. Another Tk 8.7 billion was misappropriated under the guise of academic development and city allowances. Tk 3.6 billion was deducted from honorariums for special classes and managing committee allowances, while Tk 1.1 billion was siphoned off through printing and publishing expenses. In addition, 662 teachers and staff were illegally recruited without examinations.

Meanwhile, even more unprecedented fraud has been uncovered at Bonpara School in Mymensingh. The DIA investigation found that 73 out of 76 teachers at the institution possessed fake educational and teacher registration certificates.

All 61 teachers in the college section and 12 out of 15 teachers in the school section were found to have obtained jobs using forged certificates.

The investigation further revealed that College Principal Imdadul Haque turned the institution into a family rehabilitation center. He appointed his wife, son, daughter-in-law, daughter, sister, sister’s husband, brother-in-law’s wife, cousins, and even his personal driver as teachers and staff using fake certificates.

It was also found that the bachelor’s degree he used for his job from Dhaka College actually belonged to another student. His master’s degree came from an unrecognized and non-existent institution named “America Bangladesh University.”

After joining as principal of the college in 2014, he continued drawing salary and allowances of his previous post as headmaster of a lower secondary school until 2023.

A total of Tk 557.56 million was illegally withdrawn from the government treasury as salaries and benefits for these fake teachers, and the DIA has recommended its recovery.

DIA Director Professor MM Shahidul Islam said that the investigation was conducted in great detail, producing conclusive evidence of fraud in both institutions, and the report has been submitted to the ministry.