Mirganj Adarsha High School, one of the MPO-listed educational institutions in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha, has earned a good reputation for its pleasant environment and success in public examinations.
However, recently, allegations have been made against a former student for attempting to tarnish the school’s reputation over a sexual harassment incident.
It is learnt that Mosharraf Hossain (40), an assistant teacher, has been arrested and is in jail on charges of sexually harassing an eighth-grade student. Following the incident, on August 7, former student Monarul Islam called for a human chain demanding the resignation of the head teacher and punishment for the accused teacher. However, the program failed as it received no response from students, guardians, or locals. Later, on August 10, he rented a loudspeaker from the local market and again called for a human chain on August 12, but this too failed.
According to the case statement, on the morning of Monday (August 4), teacher Mosharraf phoned the student’s father, asking him to come to a high bridge on the Mirganj–Sonarai road. When the student went there with her cousin, the teacher allegedly held her hand and pulled her. As the student screamed, passers-by approached, and he let go. Later, a video showing the teacher and two students on a motorcycle was circulated on social media.
Inquiries revealed that the video was recorded by another student of the school, reportedly out of resentment after being scolded by Mosharraf over a separate matter.
The victim told the media, “Sir called my father’s phone, but I deleted it. We two sisters got on the motorcycle, and that’s when the video was taken. Mosharraf Sir teaches well. I don’t know whether he looks at me in a bad way or not.”
The accused teacher, Mosharraf, denied the allegations, saying, “I was going to meet a colleague. On the way, the two students wanted to get on the bike, so I gave them a ride out of humanitarian consideration. The video was deliberately spread. I have previously spoken about the presence of troublemakers near the school. Maybe they are behind this.”
Locals believe it is unlikely that a teacher would call a student’s father with ill intent or openly hold her hand in public. This, they say, is why there was no response to the human chain call. They claim such actions are damaging the school’s reputation, and the authorities should take steps to stop them.
Attempts to contact former student Monarul Islam for comment were unsuccessful.
Mirganj Adarsha High School head teacher A.N.M. Ruhul Amin said, “A case has been filed against the teacher, and the matter is in court. The unfortunate thing is that the former student, whom we taught and supported in many ways, is now deliberately trying to damage the school’s image. I have reported the matter to the higher authorities.”
