Many parents of students have alleged that Ghorashal Hamidia Dakhil Madrasa in Sadar upazila has asked them to pay between 350 taka and 750 taka for government-approved textbooks meant for free distribution.
They also accuse Madrasa superintendent Wazed Ali of collecting 50 taka from students who have failed to return their old textbooks. "On January 3, when we had gone to collect textbooks, the madrasa demanded money," said a parent, on condition of anonymity.
Superintendent Wazed Ali has, however, denied the allegation. "Students have been asked to pay admission and tuition fees only. There must be some misunderstanding," he said.
When contacted, Mozaffar Hossain Palash, upazila secondary education officer, told UNB that legal action would be taken against the Madrasa superintendent and others if found involved in demanding money for textbooks. "A probe is already on," he said.
Saroj Kumar Nath, deputy commissioner, said, “I have ordered the authorities concerned to form a probe body and take legal action if the allegation turns out to be true."
The Textbook Festival, marking the distribution of free textbooks among school and madrasah students, was organised across the country on January 1.
