Ad-Hoc Committees weigh down private educational instts

Nearly two years after the political transition that followed the July uprising, most private schools, colleges and madrasas across the country are still operating without elected governing bodies, relying instead on repeatedly extended ad-hoc committees or government-appointed administrators.

The prolonged arrangement has stalled key administrative and financial decisions, triggered allegations of political influence, and raised concerns over transparency and accountability in institutional management.

The situation is evident at several prominent institutions. At Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in Dhaka, a former secretary and current government adviser with ministerial rank was first appointed chairman as the divisional commissioner's representative on Deccember 9, 2024. On March 25, 2025, the Dhaka Education Board formally appointed him chairman of an ad-hoc committee for six months. Since then, his tenure has been extended four times, with the latest committee approved on July 26 this year.

A similar scenario exists at Bhukshimail School and College in Moulvibazar, where no elected governing body has been in place for nearly two years. During this period, a local social worker served twice as chairman, while the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) chaired the institution during the remaining terms. At Ali Amjad High School and College, also in the same upazila, no ad hoc committee has even been formed since the regular managing committee was dissolved, leaving the UNO to oversee the institution.

These examples reflect a nationwide trend affecting most private secondary schools, colleges and madrasas. In many cases, where no ad hoc committee exists, the responsibilities of chairman are being carried out by the UNO, Deputy Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner or their nominees.

Education sector stakeholders say the absence of elected governing bodies has effectively paralysed institutional governance.

Under existing regulations, ad-hoc committees have limited authority. They cannot recruit principals, vice principals, superintendents, teachers, librarians or other employees, nor can they dismiss staff without prior approval from the relevant education board. Their restricted powers have delayed recruitment, disciplinary measures, financial approvals and long-term development planning. 

Several education officials said the temporary nature of these committees discourages strategic decision-making, while many important administrative functions remain pending for months.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the Ministry of Education removed all chairpersons of governing bodies and managing committees at private educational institutions through a notification issued on August 20 under the Private Educational Institutions Governing Body and Managing Committee Regulations 2024.

The order assigned temporary oversight to government administrators-- UNOs at the upazila level, Deputy Commissioners at the district level and Divisional Commissioners or their representatives at the divisional level.

Three months later, on November 20, 2024, the ministry instructed education boards to form ad-hoc committees and complete elections for regular governing bodies within six months.

However, according to officials, only a handful of institutions have since elected regular governing bodies. Instead, many ad hoc committees have been reconstituted three or four times, with education boards continuing to approve fresh temporary committees.

In its latest move, the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board last Sunday dissolved all existing ad-hoc committees of private Dakhil and Alim madrasas across the country.

An emergency notification signed by Registrar Prof. SM Touhiduzzaman said the decision was taken in line with a directive issued by the Technical and Madrasa Education Division on July 30. Institutions have been instructed to form new ad hoc committees within 15 working days under the amended Private Dakhil and Alim Madrasa Managing Committee and Governing Body Regulations 2025.

Interviews with education board officials, local education administrators and institutional stakeholders suggest that political influence has become a major factor in appointing ad-hoc committee chairpersons.

Although education boards generally receive three nominations for the chairman's post, several officials alleged that recommendations from Members of Parliament or influential political figures often determine the final appointment.

Several education board officials, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that lobbying and political pressure frequently influence appointments.

One chairman of an education board said ad hoc committee formation is "largely driven by lobbying," adding that recommendations from MPs or influential political leaders often receive priority.

Another board secretary described the issue as "a major administrative burden," saying political pressure surrounding committee formation has disrupted regular board activities.

A chairman aspirant from a school in Mymensingh claimed that although his family founded the institution, another individual was appointed after allegedly receiving political backing.

Several upazila education officers also said political influence has complicated institutional oversight, making it difficult to take action against irregularities involving committee members.

Stakeholders further alleged that in some institutions, strained relationships between chairpersons and principals have hampered administration, while in others both parties have been accused of financial irregularities.

Md. Ziaul Kabir Dulu, president of the Guardians Unity Forum, criticised the repeated renewal of ad hoc committees, saying many committees have failed to organise elections despite being legally required to do so within six months.

He alleged that some temporary committees are clinging to power with the support of education boards, resulting in poor monitoring, declining education quality and financial irregularities. He stressed that only elected governing bodies can restore accountability and transparency.

Former Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), Prof. Muhammad Azad Khan, warned that prolonged dependence on ad-hoc committees poses a serious threat to privately managed educational institutions.

He said delays in forming elected committees would negatively affect educational quality, weaken relations among teachers, guardians and administrators, and undermine public confidence in institutional governance.

Chairman of the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board, Prof. Khondkar Mohammad Sadekur Rahman, said the dissolution of existing ad hoc committees was carried out under ministry directives and that newly formed committees would facilitate elections for regular governing bodies as quickly as possible.

Dhaka Education Board Chairman Prof. Syed Akhtaruzzaman acknowledged that some institutions have received multiple ad-hoc committees due to various circumstances but said education boards are urging institutions to complete the process of forming elected governing bodies at the earliest opportunity.