Mohammad Jayed, Lohagara, Chattogram :
Gaurdsthan High School, located in Putibila Union of Lohagara Upazila, Chattogram, has been struggling with a series of internal conflicts and political interference, leading to a sharp decline in the quality of education over the past 15 years.
The school, once a symbol of hope and academic excellence, is now embroiled in chaos due to grouping among teachers and the involvement of political figures in its management.
Established in 2004 through the efforts of former Member of Parliament and Chittagong District Jamaat leader Alhaj Shahjahan Chowdhury, Gaurdsthan High School initially showed promising results in both academics and extracurricular activities.
However, over time, the school has seen a gradual deterioration, with the last 15 years marked by severe teacher infighting.
The school’s management issues became more pronounced when Awami League leadership took over the school’s governing body.
Teachers were reportedly divided into factions, leading to a further decline in the school’s educational standards.
The appointment of Inzamul Haque Yuvraj, reportedly under the influence of former MP Abu Reza Nadvir, as the school president, raised concerns among locals due to his lack of educational qualifications and experience.
Saddam Hossain, a recently appointed computer operator and vice-president of the Thana Chhatra League, has also been at the center of controversy.
Locals allege that Hossain’s appointment was politically motivated, exacerbating the division among teachers and worsening the overall school environment.
The grouping and infighting have not only affected the school’s academic reputation but also its infrastructure development. A recent incident involving a pylon construction project for which the Chittagong Zilla Parishad had allocated a significant sum of money has highlighted these issues.
According to reports, the president of the pylon construction committee, Farooq Uddin Chowdhury, resigned from his post after the school’s management committee failed to release the allocated funds.
The situation took a dramatic turn after the Awami League government left office on August 5. Two local teachers reportedly incited students to protest against the headmaster, resulting in several disturbances at the school.
These incidents have further deteriorated the school’s atmosphere, creating unrest among students and parents alike. Veteran journalist Nurul Huda Chowdhury, a local voice of reason, expressed deep concern over the state of the school.
He stated that despite the conspiracies and internal conflicts plaguing Gaurdsthan High School, local education advocates are stepping in to restore the institution’s former glory.
Chowdhury pointed out that some Jamaat leaders, including the school’s founder Shahjahan Chowdhury, are seeking to resolve these issues but fear the establishment may fall under the control of the Awami League faction.