No more private tutoring in primary school classrooms

Teachers of government primary schools in Bangladesh are no longer allowed to conduct private tutoring or coaching classes inside school classrooms, either after school hours or on holidays.  

The Directorate of Primary Education has issued a directive prohibiting the use of school premises for such activities. It has warned that any teacher conducting coaching classes or private tutoring inside classrooms will be held accountable for violating this rule.  

This directive comes in response to a recent incident in Thakurgaon, where a fifth-grade student was allegedly assaulted while attending private tuition at a government primary school.  

On Tuesday afternoon, Md. Raihul Islam, Assistant Director of the Policy and Operations Division of the Directorate of Primary Education, told that reports had surfaced about coaching and private tutoring taking place in classrooms after school hours and on holidays. He stated that under no circumstances should school rooms be used for private tutoring or coaching classes and that an official order had been issued to prevent such practices.  

The directive was sent on Monday to all divisional deputy directors, PTI superintendents, district primary education officers, and upazila or thana education officers. It emphasizes that the use of school classrooms for private tutoring or coaching is "unacceptable," and those responsible for any violations will be held accountable. The directive further states that this order is to be implemented immediately, and all relevant education officials must ensure strict compliance.  

The recent case in Thakurgaon has intensified concerns over the misuse of school premises. The incident allegedly took place on Saturday at Madarganj Kochubari Government Primary School in Auliapur Union, where a fifth-grade student was assaulted while attending private tuition. Following the accusation, the teacher involved, Mozammel Haque Manik, was arrested. When presented before the court on Sunday morning, an enraged mob attacked him.  

According to the victim’s family, despite the school being officially closed, Assistant Teacher Mozammel Haque Manik was still conducting private tutoring inside the school building. This incident has further reinforced the government’s stance on prohibiting private tutoring in school premises to ensure student safety and maintain ethical teaching practices.