Shyamal Chandra Haldar, acting head teacher of Middle Sonakur Government Primary School No. 14 in Kaukhali upazila of Pirojpur, has been temporarily suspended. The action followed allegations that he violated government instructions by having students plant tree branches instead of saplings during a tree-planting programme. A signed order from the district primary education officer confirmed the suspension.

Under a special programme of the prime minister, schools had been clearly instructed to plant fruit, forest and medicinal saplings on their grounds on July 15. According to the allegation, Haldar arranged for students to plant branches in place of saplings and uploaded photographs of the activity to a teachers’ social media group.

Following a written complaint, Kaukhali assistant upazila primary education officer Rafiqul Islam conducted an on-site investigation on July 19 and found the allegation to be true. Authorities temporarily suspended Haldar under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. Upazila primary education officer Wahidul Islam said action was taken after the allegation was proven. He also said a female teacher’s complaint against an assistant teacher would be investigated under the rules.