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A total of 24 service books of teachers have gone missing from the Kishoreganj Upazila Education Office in Nilphamari, triggering widespread criticism over administrative mismanagement and causing severe anxiety and frustration among local educators.**
According to complaint details, a syndicate has allegedly dominated the upazila education office under the pretext of preparing and processing various bills, including GPF, parity bills, seniority scale adjustments, medical allowances, maternity leave, and retirement dues. They reportedly took service books into their possession at whim without any accountability or register maintenance by the education office. Teachers have expressed deep suspicion over how service books—which contain all personal, professional, and financial records from joining until retirement—went missing, and how confidential books ended up in the hands of a syndicate led by a head teacher rather than remaining strictly under official custody.
Following the disappearance of the 24 books—which remains unresolved after nearly two months and raises serious fears of complications regarding salary allowances, financial benefits, and service matters—affected teachers voiced strong protests online. The name of Sharif Mahmud, head teacher of Soronjhabari Bottola Government Primary School, surfaced in connection with the incident.
In response, Upazila Primary Education Officer Dr. Mst. Mahmuda Khatun issued an office order on October 14, 2026, forming a 9-member teacher committee to search for the missing service books. Although initially reporting 26 missing books, the committee traced 2 books, leaving 24 unaccounted for despite searches at the District Primary Education Office and the Upazila Accounts Office.
A member of the search committee, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Head Teacher Mahmud Sharif handled various billing tasks through a syndicate. Despite the presence of regular office staff, the Upazila Education Officer reportedly had this head teacher handle administrative work. Recently, when he secretly took away 9 service books, the matter came to light, prompting him to return them immediately. The teacher added that Sharif claimed he took the books with the Education Officer's permission.
Read next Nutritional deficiency in BrSTU hall meals; students turning away from diningFaced with mounting pressure over the missing records, the Upazila Education Officer issued a show-cause notice to Office Assistant Shahinur Islam. The notice stated that he unauthorizedly took several teachers' service books out of the office on September 23, 2026, disrupting official operations and compromising confidentiality. He was given three working days to submit a satisfactory explanation as to why departmental action and administrative transfer recommendations should not be pursued against him.
Head Teacher Sharif Mahmud claimed that when office staff were unable to process equalization bills, they asked him to do so, and returning the books happened promptly when questions arose.
Goda Government Primary School Assistant Teacher Deepa Khatun remarked, "Service books are crucial from the start of employment until retirement. We submitted our books to the education office; they are responsible for retrieving them."
Putimari Government Primary School Assistant Teacher Mohammad Alimuzzaman added, "Safeguarding teachers' service books is the responsibility of the education office. Only those on duty there can explain how the books vanished."
When questioned, Upazila Primary Education Officer Dr. Mahmuda Khatun stated, "I know nothing about this; he may be saying that to save himself." Regarding the 24 missing service books, she said, "We are searching for them, and necessary steps are being taken."
Acting Nilphamari District Primary Education Officer Rabiul Islam stated, "I am aware of the matter, and higher authorities have been informed."
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Sabbir Hossen, Kishoreganj (Nilphamari) Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
