HC orders English medium schools to practice native culture

Staff Correspondent: The High Court (HC) on Thursday ordered the English medium schools across Bangladesh to form their managing committees within three months scrapping session fees imposed on the students of the schools.

The court also directed the schools to put emphasis on learning Bangla language, practicing native culture and following legacy, history of Bangladesh including the contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and freedom fighters.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice Md Badruzzaman, passed the order disposing of a writ filed seeking rules for English medium schools.

Besides, the court ordered the English medium schools to observe all national days, including the Independence Day and the Victory Day, with due gravity.

Deputy Attorney General Sardar Rashed Jahangir, assistant Attorney General Protikar Chakma and Suchira Hossain represented the state while Barrister Badruddoza Badal, Anik R Haque and JR Khan Robin stood for the petitioner.

On April 5 last, the court fixed May 25 (today) for passing an order on completion of hearing on the rule.

According to the private (English medium) school and college ordinance 1962 and private English medium school registration rule 2007, Barrister Badruddoza Badal said, the HC ordered formation of managing committees involving the representatives of guardians which will fix all kinds of fees, including that of admission, for the English medium schools.

The school authorities will not be allowed to fix any fee without the consent of the committee, Badal added.

Besides, the court directed the Education Ministry to issue a circular to implement its order and submit a progress report in this regard within three months.

In 2014, Javed Faruq, a guardian of a student of an English medium school, filed the writ with the HC seeking its order for the formulation of education rules, including tuition and re-admission fees, and session charge, for the English medium schools.

risingbd/DHAKA/May 25, 2017/Mehedi/Amirul