Principal forces students to give 'share' of stipend

The principal of a madrasa in Parbatipur upazila of the district on Thursday forcibly realised Tk 1,000 from each of 13 students from their stipends.

The students filed an application to the upazila education officer the same day, demanding refund of the money taken by Rizaul Islam, principal of Ainulhuda Fazil Madrasa.

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"We want the principal to return the money," Hasanul Islam, an Alim first year student of the institution.

On April 26 this year, the 13 along with other students of different institutions in the upazila were given cheques for Tk 4,900 as stipend, said Parbatipur education office sources. 

Upazila Education Officer Shamser Ali Mandal later handed over the cheques to the students at a function. The students received cash against the cheques on Wednesday. 

Under various pretexts, Principal Riazul Islam forced the 13 students of the madrasa to pay him Tk 1,000 each from their stipends on the following day, alleged education officer Shamser Ali Mandal.

He would forward the application to his district officer for necessary action, said Shamser Ali.

Contacted, the principal declined to make any comment on the issue.