DHAKA, May 19, 2025 (BSS) - The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued a statement today clarifying media reports regarding the dismissal of assistant teacher Manibul Haque Basuniya from Abul Kashem Girls Government Primary School in Rajarhat Upazila, Kurigram district.

According to the ministry, some media outlets quoted a misleading statement from the teacher, claiming, "This disciplinary action has been taken in response to an incident that took place four months ago."

The ministry firmly refuted this assertion, stating that the teacher's claim is entirely false and deliberately intended to mislead the public.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has taken note of a news item titled "Facebook Post on Adviser, Teacher Dismissed after Four Months." To address the confusion arising from the statement and to ensure clarity regarding the actual facts, the ministry is issuing this statement.

The statement clarified that the actual incident involved Manibul Haque Basuniya, an assistant teacher at Abul Kashem Girls Government Primary School in Rajarhat Upazila, Kurigram District, who posted negative and offensive remarks on his personal Facebook account (https//facebook.com/con/share/p/15fJhojZVs/) on May 12, 2025. 

In his post, he shared his personal views on extending learning hours for government primary school students, keeping schools open on Saturdays, and used unpronounceable language when referring to senior officials.

This post implied discussions on extending learning hours for government primary school students, which took place during the National Primary Education Award 2024 and the inauguration of the National Primary Education Week 2025 on May 10, 2025.

It is important to note that in the 2025 academic year, schools will operate for only 179 days, significantly fewer than in most other countries. Improving the quality of primary education with such limited teaching hours remains a challenge.

In this context, the idea of keeping schools open on Saturdays- while maintaining teachers' weekly working hours- was explored.

Additionally, to enhance primary education standards, the Ministry is actively considering a proposal to transition all government primary schools and PTIs under the Department of Primary Education from vacation-based institutions to non-vacation institutions.

The teacher, while expressing his opinion on keeping schools open on Saturdays without extending teachers' weekly working hours on his personal Facebook account, made unethical and negative remarks about the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and senior officials of the Department. 

This is a clear violation of sections 7(d) and 10(e)(g) of the Guidelines for the Use of Social Media in Government Institutions, 2019 (revised version) and constitutes misconduct under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018, the statement read. 

In his post, he questioned, "Who is pushing for longer teaching hours? Why they are opening schools on Saturdays for just a few hours?" 

He also commented, "Vacation and non-vacation arrangements are separate issues. I am not sure of this individual's position, but based on what I've heard, it seems they hold a significant role within the Department of Primary and Mass Education or the Ministry. I wonder how much they truly understand... How do these appointments happen in this department? Who selects these individuals? What kind of exams did they pass to secure key positions in the Primary Department? Does simply becoming a cadre- qualify someone as an expert in primary and mass education? What firsthand experience do they actually have in teaching classes? And how long do they spend teaching in schools?"

Through this post, the Director General of the Department of Primary and Mass Education, the Secretary of the Ministry, the Adviser, and even the Chief Adviser were subjected to humiliation, the statement mentioned. 

Due to his actions, which violated government regulations as a public servant and included inappropriate remarks as a primary school teacher, disciplinary measures have been taken against him.

Following the disciplinary action, the teacher made a statement in national dailies, attempting to mislead the public by claiming that the action was taken in response to an incident from four months ago. His claim is entirely false and malicious, added the ministry statement.