Raped girl allowed for test, principal show caused

Local authorities today issued a show cause on the Habiganj headmaster for denying a rape victim to sit for school terminal examinations in Bahubal upazila.

The headmaster has to reply within a week, our Moulvibazar correspondent reports quoting Bahubal upazila Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Saiful Islam.

Also, actions will be taken against Shahjalal High School's governing body if they do not retract their decision of denying the victim to sit for the terminal examination.

The Daily Star ran a report today on the school authorities of denying education to a rape victim by colouring her "a bad character" and "a negative influence on other students".

Seeing the report, the UNO held discussions with the school authorities this morning. After talks, the girl was allowed to sit for her terminal examinations.

Contacted, Headmaster Ayub Ali of Shahjalal High School said the authorities will also take steps so that she can sit for the three exams those have already been held.

The teenager hailing from Bhadeswar union in Bahubal upazila was allegedly raped by two youths on the night of July 20 two days after she went missing.

The school management committee later denied to accept her in the school accusing her of "bad character" and also refused to take fees for her final exams that started on November 29.