Teacher couple's brawl goes viral: Both transferred to schools 32km apart

A couple, who teach at a government primary school in Phulbaria, have been transferred to two schools nearly 32 kilometres apart after a video showing them fighting inside the school office went viral on social media.

The transfers were ordered separately, with Assistant Teacher Asma Khatun moved first, followed by her husband, Afzal Hossain, the headteacher of Akta Government Primary School.

On October 17, Muhammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder, deputy director of the Mymensingh divisional primary education office, ordered Afzal’s transfer to Baidyarbari Westpara Government Primary School.

Earlier, on October 15, District Primary Education Officer Shafiqul Islam initiated departmental proceedings against Asma and transferred her to Kahalgaon Dakshinpara Government Primary School.

The two schools are located at opposite ends of Phulbaria upazila, with a distance of approximately 32 kilometres between them.

The incident came to public attention after footage of the couple grappling and fighting inside the office of Akta Government Primary School, in Rangamatia Union of Phulbaria, circulated on Facebook on October 5.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the altercation occurred 10 to 12 days before the video went viral.

The couple married in 2004 and have a daughter who has completed higher secondary education and is currently preparing for university admission.

Afzal and Asma have reportedly been living separately for around 14 years, with court cases also pending between them over family disputes. Both joined Akta Government Primary School around 2011.

Sources said their longstanding domestic conflict had spilled over into their workplace, with allegations of repeated public arguments at the school.

The situation reportedly caused dissatisfaction among students, parents and local residents. Local sources claimed that student enrolment at the school began to decline amid the controversy, with some parents moving their children to other educational institutions.

Following the incident, Upazila Education Officer Iqbal Hossain conducted an investigation on the instructions of higher authorities. After finding the allegations substantiated, he recommended disciplinary action against the teachers.

Iqbal confirmed that Afzal had been transferred to Baidyarbari Westpara Government Primary School, while Asma had earlier been transferred to Kahalgaon Dakshinpara Government Primary School following departmental proceedings.

He said the viral video showed the altercation and that the couple had a history of disagreements and arguments. Tensions escalated further on the day of the incident, he added.

According to the education officer, the footage was circulated through a former colleague of the couple.