AL men shut college for 15 days

Local Awami League (AL) leaders closed Kuripara College last week over a dispute regarding the appointment of a principal, resulting in suspension of academic activities and examinations.

Kuripara College, established in Ratankandi union under Sirajganj Sadar upazila in 1999, is yet to be included in the government's monthly pay order (MPO) programme, according to college officials.

Acting Principal Rabiul Karim said Ratankandi union parishad (UP) Chairman Golam Mostafa Khokan and Ratankandi union AL President Abdul Moktadir Bokul forced the managing committee to appoint a principal of their choice that the committee and the teachers opposed.

The AL men locked the college office room on November 21 and the classrooms on November 26, halting all academic activities and examinations in the college, Rabiul said.

"HSC examinees could not appear in the examinations as the classrooms are locked. Seven examinations have been suspended," said Md Johirul Islam, a teacher.

Khokan, however, said the managing body, in collusion with the teachers and staff, did not interview candidates despite fixing dates on several occasions, so the post seekers got angry and locked the college.

Sirajganj district Education Officer Md Shafiullah said, "We have discussed the matter with the two groups and will solve the problem as soon as possible."