Investigators have uncovered the use of forged certificates and recommendation letters in madrasa MPO (Monthly Pay Order) enlistment, appointments made outside the approved staffing pattern, salary withdrawals using a deceased teacher’s bank account and MPO index number, and forged letters and signatures issued in the name of the director general’s representative, at various madrasas across the country. The Directorate of Madrasa Education is ordering the cancellation of MPO index numbers, suspension of salaries, and repayment of funds improperly withdrawn in these cases.
According to government documents, the MPO index numbers of 19 teachers and staff appointed outside the approved staffing pattern at the fazil and kamil levels of Ikramuddin Model Kamil Madrasa in Bhanga, Faridpur, have been cancelled. They have also been ordered to return 14,448,000 taka improperly withdrawn to the government treasury.
MPO of 19 teachers and staff at same madrasa canceled
The government has cancelled the MPO index numbers of 19 teachers and staff appointed outside the approved staffing pattern at the fazil and kamil levels of Ikramuddin Model Kamil Madrasa in Bhanga upazila, Faridpur. They have also been ordered to return 14,448,000 taka improperly withdrawn to the government treasury.
An August 3 office order from the Directorate of Madrasa Education said the decision was made at a meeting of the MPO Selection and Approval Committee held July 18, following a June 16 decision by the MPO Reconsideration Committee.
Those involved have been asked to deposit the funds with the government treasury within one month and submit a copy of the treasury challan to the directorate. Failure to do so, the order said, would result in a case being filed under the Public Demands Recovery Act of 1913.
Among the 19, the largest sum, 2,135,541 taka, has been sought from Md Faruk Hossain, a lecturer in Islamic history. Md Qudrat-e Rahman, a lecturer in Bengali, and Fazlul Islam, a lecturer in English, have each been asked to return 1,801,132 taka, while Md Rashedul Islam, a lecturer in Arabic, has been asked to return 1,060,332 taka.
Md Al Amin, a lecturer in Arabic, and Md Sarwar Hossain, a lecturer (librarian), have each been asked to return 751,242 taka; lecturers Md Azizul Haque (Fiqh), Zahid Hossain and Md Mohibur Rahman have each been asked to return 643,370 taka; and assistant moulvi Md Nurnabi has been asked to return 627,702 taka.
Others include assistant librarian Mohiuddin, asked to return 477,395 taka; office assistant-cum-computer operator Kazi Al Masud, asked to return 481,983 taka; fourth-class staff Md Masum Billah and Habib Gazi, each asked to return 434,175 taka; cleaner Md Nazmul Islam, asked to return 349,407 taka; fourth-class staff Md Saiful Islam, asked to return 328,215 taka; lab assistants Md Rezaul Mia and Sammi Akter, each asked to return 335,911 taka; and junior teacher Nazrin, asked to return 364,453 taka.
MPO obtained with forged certificates; nine teachers’ indexes cancelled
The MPO index numbers of nine teachers at various madrasas across the country have been cancelled after allegations that they obtained MPO enlistment using forged teacher registration certificates and recommendation letters were proven.
Verification by the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) found their certificates and recommendation letters to be forged and fake. Under the “Non-Government Educational Institution (Madrasa) Staffing Structure and MPO Policy 2026,” their index numbers have been cancelled from the May 2026 MPO sheet.
Those on the list include Md Nurujjaman of Golakpur Siddiquia Fazil Madrasa in Sirajganj; Md Mahbub Rashid of Taraganj Waqf Estate Kamil Madrasa in Rangpur; Md Abdur Rahman of Batajor Alim Madrasa in Pirojpur; and Md Masum Billah and Md Harunur Rashid of Newashi Islamia Alim Madrasa in Kurigram.
Also cancelled were the index numbers of Karima Khatun of Mallikerbher Fazil Madrasa in Bagerhat; Biswajit Samaddar of Patakhali Fazil Madrasa in Satkhira; Shahidul Haque of Panchukhuri Ahmadia Fazil Madrasa in Cumilla; and Md Roknuzzaman of Belashi Madinatul Ulum Balika Alim Madrasa in Gazipur.
Salary drawn using dead teacher’s bank account and index
Md Mohiuddin, an assistant teacher at Mo Bhela Omoria Islamia Dakhil Madrasa in Tazumuddin, Bhola, has been accused of drawing salary and allowances for an extended period using a deceased teacher’s bank account and MPO index number.
The Directorate of Madrasa Education issued him a show-cause notice on August 2. His index number is B-602782. The notice asked him to appear in person within three working days with all original appointment-related documents and evidence to provide a written and verbal explanation. Failure to respond, it said, would result in action under the relevant rules.
Forged letter in director general’s representative’s name
The Directorate of Madrasa Education has identified a case at Dhalchar Islamia Dakhil Madrasa in Char Fasson, Bhola, involving the creation of a forged letter in the name of the director general’s representative, the formation of a fake appointment board, and forgery of the representative’s signature to send a new MPO enlistment application for an individual.
The madrasa’s superintendent, Md Amir Hossain, has had his salary and allowances temporarily suspended in connection with the case. He has also been issued a show-cause notice asking why his MPO should not be permanently discontinued.
According to the directorate’s notice, the MPO application for the lab assistant post of Md Abdur Razzaq included a forged letter in the name of the director general’s representative, a forged results statement, and a forged signature. The verification committee identified these irregularities and recommended the application be rejected.
Superintendent Md Amir Hossain has been asked to submit a written response within three working days. The directorate said it would take necessary administrative action if his response is unsatisfactory or not submitted within the deadline.
Gaibandha: MPO application with forged letter, signature; superintendent show-caused
The Directorate of Madrasa Education has identified a case at Bamandanga Sarkarpara Al-Hikmah Mosque Academy Dakhil Madrasa in Sundarganj, Gaibandha, involving the use of a forged letter and signature in the director general’s representative’s name to send an MPO enlistment application for an individual.
The madrasa’s superintendent, Abu Shahadat Md Jahangir Alam, has been issued a notice asking why his MPO should not be temporarily suspended and permanently discontinued.
According to the directorate’s notice, the new MPO application for the lab assistant post of Md Sumon Mia included a forged letter, a fake appointment board and a forged signature. The verification committee identified these irregularities and recommended Sumon’s application be rejected. The superintendent has been asked to submit a written response within three working days.
Forged NTRCA certificate: Kishoreganj teacher’s index cancelled
The Directorate of Madrasa Education has cancelled the MPO index of Amirunnesa, an assistant professor of Arabic at Mirdi Fazil Madrasa in Pakundia upazila, Kishoreganj, after her NTRCA certificate was found to be forged and fake.
According to directorate documents, an investigation prompted by a complaint, along with a review of NTRCA’s report, found that her certification from the Fifth Teacher Registration Examination-2009 was not genuine. Her index has been cancelled as a result.
She has also been ordered to return the salary and allowances she has drawn since being enlisted for MPO, via treasury challan to the government treasury.
Why does this keep happening?
Recent cases suggest that weaknesses remain in the management of MPO enlistment at madrasas. Gaps in verification at the time of appointment, failure to detect forged documents, and opportunities for irregularities within institutions are creating risks of wasted and embezzled public funds.
Alongside canceling MPO status and ordering repayment, effective legal action and exemplary punishment are essential in cases where fraud or embezzlement of public funds is proven.
Educationists and experts say that, rather than only taking action after receiving a complaint, a rigorous verification system needs to be introduced throughout the entire appointment and MPO enlistment process. They also say the appointment and MPO enlistment processes of all private MPO-listed educational institutions nationwide — not just madrasas — need to be examined in phases.
Educationist Rasheda K Chowdhury said: “Appointments at private educational institutions are made without consultation with stakeholders. MPO enlistment is not rigorously verified. Teachers and staff are appointed after discussions with those who stand to benefit, and then enlisted for MPO in a slapdash way without proper verification. Establishing educational institutions, approving them to teach, and enlisting them for MPO should all be rigorously vetted. No one has the right to waste public tax money this way. What’s most disheartening is that this kind of conduct happens even at institutions operating under a religious umbrella.”
‘Action is being taken as soon as complaints come in’
Md Shamiul Islam Pramanik, deputy director (administration) of the Directorate of Madrasa Education, said action is being taken as soon as complaints are received. With limited staff, he said, it isn’t possible to verify every madrasa in the country overnight. But as soon as a complaint is received, or where doubts exist, the matter is verified and strict action is taken under government rules, he said, adding that many teachers have been asked to return funds.
Asked whether legal action would be taken, he said: “We are taking the strongest action within our authority.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report