Uncertainty surrounds DSHE leadership

Speculation has intensified within Bangladesh’s education administration over a possible change in the leadership of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), with officials suggesting that its current director general on additional charge, Professor Dr Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, could be replaced by another Education Cadre officer.

However, the Ministry of Education has not issued any official order or statement confirming the reported change.

Sources in the ministry and DSHE said discussions were under way over a possible replacement, but stressed that no decision should be considered final until an official notification is issued.

Education Secretary Abdul Khalek said any decision regarding Sohel’s transfer would be made public through an official order.

“Any such order would be made public, and everyone would be informed at that time,” he told journalists.

An education ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also declined to comment on the reports, cautioning against treating unconfirmed information as fact.

“To avoid false rumours, one should not speak based on vague notions before the government’s decision is issued via an official notification,” the official said.

Sohel, a 16th BCS officer and convener of the BCS General Education Cadre Association, has held several key positions in the education administration.

Following the change in the country’s political landscape, he was appointed director of the Secondary Wing at DSHE. He subsequently served as private secretary to the education minister.

After stepping down from that position, Sohel took over the additional charge of DSHE director general and has since been performing the role on an interim basis.

His tenure at the directorate has, however, been accompanied by discussions and criticism over a number of administrative decisions, particularly frequent transfers and postings.

The issues have generated debate both within and outside the education administration. DSHE, however, has not provided any formal or detailed explanation addressing the allegations or criticism surrounding those decisions.

When asked about reports that he could be removed from the DSHE director general’s post, Sohel said government service rules prevented him from commenting on the matter.

He said government officials could be transferred as part of the normal rules of service and were required to comply with decisions taken by the authorities.

“According to government service rules, I am not at liberty to speak on the matter,” Sohel said.

He added that government officials’ jobs were transferable and that they were bound to comply with any decision taken by the government.

At the same time, he said he was unaware of any such rumours regarding his possible replacement.

With no official notification issued so far, the reported change at the top of DSHE remains unconfirmed.