Md. Mujibur Rahman Patwary, Gazipur

Multiple allegations of severe irregularities and financial corruption have emerged against Mahbuba Begum, the headmistress of Boali High School in Kaliganj Upazila of Gazipur.

The accusations include trading government-issued textbooks, inflating student enrollment figures to misappropriating state benefits, allowing external students to sit for the SSC examinations in exchange for money, and withholding examinees' admit cards.

According to local guardians, aggrieved students, and education department sources, an influential circle has long been exploiting the public education system for personal gains through this institution. It is alleged that the school administration intentionally showed inflated student numbers to procure excess government textbooks, which were subsequently sold or distributed elsewhere for financial profit.

These allegations gained renewed traction following an incident on May 17, 2026, when Upazila Assistant Education Officer Mahmuda Begum recovered two sacks filled with government textbooks from Gothnika Vidyaniketan in Nagari Union. The recovery sparked intense scrutiny within local educational circles regarding how state-funded books were moved to another institution without proper Authorization.

In connection with the textbook recovery, Dilip Chandra Banik, the headmaster of Gothnika Vidyaniketan, made a startling disclosure. He stated that because their institution lacks official approval to teach grades six through ten, they have been managing their students' textbooks, registrations, and SSC examination form fill-ups through Boali High School for nearly ten years.

This admission has drawn widespread criticism from education analysts, who argue that an unapproved school operating its registration and examination protocols through another institution for a decade exposes a severe lack of monitoring and accountability within the local education administration.

Furthermore, an unethical financial network reportedly developed, charging outside students hefty fees to fill out SSC exam forms and sit for the board finals disguised as regular students of Boali High School. Concurrently, allegations surfaced that the school withheld the admit cards of several genuine examinees who refused to comply with illegal financial demands, causing immense anxiety and anger among the affected students and parents. Local residents have also pointed out a distinct lack of transparency regarding the usage of school lands and various financial transactions, demanding a neutral inquiry into asset management and state allocations.

Local civic leaders emphasized that educational institutions must not be treated as commercial enterprises for personal enrichment. They noted that irregularities involving sensitive areas like government textbooks, public registrations, and board examinations not only breach the law but also shatter public trust in the country's education system.

Efforts were made to contact Headmistress Mahbuba Begum to obtain her response regarding these allegations; however, she could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, local guardians and conscious citizens have urged higher authorities to conduct an impartial investigation, determine accountability, and enforce strict legal action to prevent the recurrence of such institutional corruption.