PM orders nationalisation of Bandarban school as headmaster runs boat to pay colleagues

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the authorities concerned to nationalise Tindu Junior Secondary School, a remote educational institution in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban district, after learning that its headmaster has been operating a boat service to pay teachers' honorarium.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon announced the decision during the budget discussion in parliament yesterday, saying he was conveying the prime minister's instruction.

Atikur Rahman Rumon, additional press secretary to the premier, said Tarique Rahman recently came across reports on social media about the school's headmaster Bamong Khyang Minglen who operates a motorised boat on holidays to support the school financially.

"Only in March and April, he earned Tk40,000 by operating the boat, of which Tk30,000 was spent on paying the salaries of his colleagues," he said.

"In such a remote hilly area, keeping a school running is a major challenge. The headmaster's dedication is an inspiring story. After learning about the matter, the prime minister instructed the education minister to take the necessary steps to nationalise the school," Rumon added.

During his budget speech, Milon said, "The prime minister has sent an instruction that the school in Tindu, Thanchi, should be nationalised. He sent this note to parliament today [yesterday]."

"I want to inform the House that the school will be nationalised soon," he said.

Established in 2020, the school currently has 56 students. As most families in the area are poor and unable to pay tuition fees regularly, the institution has long struggled to pay its teachers and staff