Monju Ara acting Viqarunnisa principal

Thursday, 14 July 2011 14:28

The government on Thursday appointed Monju Ara Begum as acting principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College.She was given the charge after principal Husne Ara Begum has gone on two months leave. Dhaka Education Board made the appointment in the afternoon after a meeting with the senior teachers of the institution which fell into a crisis triggered by a sexual assault scandal.

Earlier on Wednesday, the education board dissolved the governing body of the Viqarunnisa Noon School and College and appointed an ad hoc committee headed by the Dhaka deputy commissioner.

The dissolution came hours after a faction of the 10-member governing body announced the removal of the well-reputed institution's principal Husne Ara Begum. Another faction immediately denounced the decision terming it illegal.

The 59-year-old school plunged into trouble after a class-X female student of its Bashundhara branch accused Porimol Joydhor, a Bangla teacher of the branch, of sexually attacking her at his coaching centre in Badda.

The news sparked protests among students and guardians who took to the streets to demand Porimol's arrest and his exemplary punishment.

The protests continued even after Porimol's arrest on July 6 and his confession later to a magistrate that he committed the offence. He is now in Dhaka Central Jail.

The student's family filed a case with Badda Police Station accusing Porimol of violating her. It also accused Principal Husne Ara and Bashundhara branch-in-charge Lutfur Rahman of suppressing the allegations against Porimol and making delay in taking action against him.

The principal denied the allegations saying the school authorities took prompt action against Porimol and dismissed him. In a statement this week, she also demanded that Porimol be punished for his alleged assault on the student...more..http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=30891