Allegations of extreme mismanagement and irregularities have surfaced regarding the 5-day residential Cub Scout Basic Course in Chandanaish, Chattogram. Trainees have complained that the food quality is extremely poor and participants are not staying overnight at the venue during the ongoing 234th Cub Scout Unit Leader Basic Course at Uttar Harla Purba Joyara Mohila Dakhil Madrasah.
According to memo no. of Bangladesh Scouts, Chattogram Region, dated October 19, 2026, the course started on October 27 and runs until October 31. Under the Primary School Cub Scouting Expansion Project (4th Phase), 42 teacher trainees are participating, guided by 8 trainers, with Scouter Abdullah Hannan (LT) serving as Course Leader.
According to project rules, a total allocation of about Tk 1.35 lakh is assigned for 50 people over 5 days, covering main meals and snacks. However, trainees alleged being served substandard food, including small bananas, half-cooked parathas, and watery vegetables with foul-smelling small chicken or fish.
Read next Garment Workers Block Highway in Kaliakair, Gazipur Demanding a Minimum Monthly Wage of Tk 30,000Furthermore, Rule 57 of the Bangladesh Scouts Constitution and Rules 1972 (Revised 2021) mandates that unit leader basic courses are strictly residential, requiring participation in night hikes, campfires, and round-the-clock presence to qualify for certification. Yet, site visits over the past four nights revealed that the venue remained mostly empty after 9:00 PM, with only 10 to 15 out of 42 trainees staying in the hostel.
Following strong protests by trainees on Thursday (October 30) and Friday (October 31), authorities slightly improved the food quality.
Chandanaish Upazila Scout Secretary Md. Farhad Hossain, Commissioner Md. Habibullah, and Finance Secretary Nazim Uddin acknowledged the poor food quality and absence of trainees at night, stating they informed the district and regional authorities. Course Leader Scouter Abdullah Hannan stated that initial food issues have now been resolved and trainees are being encouraged to stay overnight. Attempts to reach Bangladesh Scouts Chattogram Regional Secretary S. M. Shahnewaz Ali Mirza for comment were unsuccessful. Local scouters and conscious citizens have demanded a thorough investigation and necessary action.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Mo. Nurul Alam, Chandanaish (Chattogram) • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
