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' salaries.
Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon announced the decision during the budget discussion in Parliament on Sunday, saying he was conveying the Prime Minister's instruction.
Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon 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 Tk 40,000 by operating the boat, of which Tk 30,000 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 that very night 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."
"I want to inform the House that the school will be nationalised soon," he said.
Established in 2020, Tindu Junior Secondary School currently has 56 students. As most families in the area are poor and unable to pay tuition fees regularly, the school has long struggled to pay its teachers and staff.
To keep the institution running, headmaster Bamong Khyang Minglen operates a motorised boat on the Thanchi-Tindu-Remakri river route during holidays. A large part of the income he earns from carrying tourists and passengers is used to pay teachers' salaries.