A Harrowing Period for Educators

“Brother… we are teachers; we do not engage in politics. We supported the student movement. Please, don’t beat us. Please don’t attack us. Brother… save us, please save us…”

These were the desperate cries of several people trapped inside a locked room, pleading for their lives. Some were running from one room to another in a frantic attempt to escape, while others tried to make phone calls. Outside, the door was being struck repeatedly with force, with blows from sharp weapons splintering the wood.

A 5-minute-50-second video obtained during an investigation captures this harrowing scene. The incident took place on 18 August 2024 in Gournadi, Barishal, where more than a hundred individuals attacked the residence of the head teacher at the staff quarters of Mahilara A.N. Secondary School. Head teacher Pronoy Kanti Adhikari and his family were trapped inside as the situation turned terrifying.

His daughter, Jahangirnagar University student Adrita Adhikari, began broadcasting the incident on Facebook Live. The army later intervened and rescued the family.

Although they survived, Pronoy Kanti was subsequently forced to resign and has since been living in hiding, facing hardship. He remains too frightened even to recall that day.

Speaking by phone on 19 April from an undisclosed location, he said: “Whenever I think about how they tried to kill me and my family inside my own campus, it sends shivers down my spine.”

He alleged that some teachers at the institution incited students by raising accusations of financial irregularities and authoritarian behaviour. “I have never been involved in politics. My only ‘fault’ was being a strict administrator who did not tolerate irregularities. Yet I was portrayed as a criminal and students were provoked into such actions,” he said.

After prolonged efforts, his salary was reinstated in December last year, but he has still not been able to return to school due to safety concerns.

A witness said the doors of the house were almost completely broken down and that the situation only changed after the Facebook Live broadcast began.

A retired teacher from the same school said: “A teacher shapes society, yet today he himself is in darkness. His family still bears the scars of that harrowing day.”

Like Pronoy Kanti Adhikari, at least 3,000 teachers in private schools across the country have reportedly faced similar situations, with several college and university teachers also targeted by mob attacks. Following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, a wave of mob actions spread nationwide, affecting even educators. Many were publicly humiliated, physically and mentally harassed, and forced to resign under pressure. Salaries were halted, and family members also faced harassment.

Data on the exact number of affected teachers remains unavailable from official sources. However, an organisation representing affected educators claims around 4,500 teachers were targeted after 5 August.

Investigations suggest that while salaries of about 2,100 teachers have since been restored, many are still unable to return to their workplaces. Around 200 teachers resumed duties after February under the new government, but approximately 700 still have unpaid salaries and face obstacles in rejoining their institutions.

Video evidence shows resignation letters were often written by mob members, with teachers forced to sign under threats. Some were even warned of serious harm if they refused.

Former education adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud once acknowledged the situation, saying educational institutions were being “occupied like land grabs,” and teachers were being insulted. However, no effective measures followed.

Further investigation has uncovered numerous cases across the country where teachers were assaulted, forced out, or coerced into resignation under mob pressure, raising serious concerns about safety, governance, and the rule of law in the education sector.

Teacher assaulted, clothes torn

On 24 October 2024, Headteacher Yunus Nabi of Narottampur High School in Begumganj, Noakhali, was forcibly removed from the school by a mob led by former managing committee chairman Moktar Hossain. The incident occurred in the presence of the then Upazila Secondary Education Officer, Motasim Billa. When he returned to the school on 23 April the following year, he was assaulted and his clothes were torn.

Yunus Nabi alleged that around 30 political activists, including Moktar Hossain, his younger brother Ekram Hossain, local leaders Shahin and Dr Parvez, and union parishad member Bahar, humiliated him and forced him to sign a pre-written resignation letter. However, the resignation was not accepted due to directives from higher authorities.

Read More

Crores billed for incomplete work

He filed complaints with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the District Commissioner, but no action has been taken and he has not been allowed to return to the school.

Moktar Hossain denied the allegations, claiming that local residents had removed the headteacher over corruption. The current managing committee chairman and UNO, Md Kayesur Rahman, said he was not aware of the matter.

Four teachers targeted by mobs in one upazila

In Sitakunda, Chattogram, at least four teachers have faced mob attacks since August 2024. While one teacher has managed to return, others remain unable to resume duties, and one has reportedly gone into hiding.

In one case, a headteacher was forced out after refusing to resign. Despite official instructions to reinstate him, he was again obstructed and humiliated when attempting to rejoin.

Another teacher was expelled by a large group of people in September 2024. Although allegations of corruption were not proven, his reinstatement has not been implemented.

Local officials said some issues have been resolved, while others are still being addressed.

Mob pressure at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College

At Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in Dhaka, a mob allegedly forced Principal Keka Ray Chowdhury and Assistant Professor Dr Farhana Khanam to resign. Investigations and video footage suggest that some alumni and teachers led the incident.

Keka Ray Chowdhury said CCTV footage proves she was forced to resign. Although investigations confirmed this and reinstatement orders were issued, she has not been allowed to rejoin and her salary has remained suspended for nearly two years.

Dr Farhana Khanam said she was targeted after opposing certain decisions. She alleged that those involved in the mob later gained influence over institutional activities.

The acting principal said the matter is currently under legal review.

Award-winning principal removed

Anwarul Islam Talukder, principal of Suapur Nannar School and College in Dhamrai, was recognised as the best institutional head in 2023. However, he was forced to resign in August 2024.

He alleged that a group of teachers and governing body members incited students against him after he introduced reforms. Although a court ordered his reinstatement, he has not been able to return.

Some students later admitted they had been misled into participating in the protest.

Teacher feared for life

Kanika Mukharjee, a teacher at Sharikol Secondary School in Gournadi, Barishal, said she faced serious threats after being targeted by a mob in September 2024. She alleged that local individuals forced her to resign and later threatened her life, prompting her to flee her home.

Although her resignation was not officially accepted, she has been unable to return to work and her salary remains suspended.

Physical harassment during forced resignation

Headteacher Shammi Akter of Uttar Kafrul High School in Dhaka was forced to resign on 29 December 2024. A video shows students pulling her hands and clothing while pressuring her to sign a resignation letter.

She claimed she was targeted following local tensions and refused to pay money allegedly demanded to facilitate her return.

More incidents reported

Similar incidents have been reported across the country, including Munshiganj, Manikganj, Dhaka and Chattogram, where teachers were forced to resign, assaulted, or prevented from returning to their duties by mobs.

In many cases, allegations of corruption were not substantiated, yet affected teachers have not been reinstated and their salaries remain suspended, raising serious concerns about governance and the safety of educators.