Viqarunnisa acting principal passed SSC at 13 years 8 months: Allegations of irregularities worth crores
Grave allegations of administrative irregularities, abuse of power, recruitment trade and misappropriation of crores of taka have surfaced against Majeda Begum, acting principal of the renowned Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in the capital. According to the complaint submitted to the Ministry of Education, Majeda Begum falsified her date of birth and passed SSC at only 13 years and 8 months of age. Not only that, there are also allegations against her of violating rules in teacher recruitment and pocketing huge sums through canteen leasing. A probe committee has been formed to investigate these allegations. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 15 working days.
On November 27 last year, one Abul Hasnat Kabir submitted a complaint to the education adviser seeking remedy for various irregularities by acting principal Majeda Begum. He is the founder and CEO of an online education platform called ‘Math is Game’. He is also the admin of the Facebook group ‘Viqarunnisa Noon School and College All Branches’.
Though acting principal Majeda Begum has denied all the allegations filed by Abul Hasnat Kabir. Speaking to The Daily Campus, she said, “There has been no incident of date of birth falsification. All documents are correct. The allegations of financial scandal and teacher recruitment are also baseless. Investigation is underway on these matters. I cannot comment further on issues under investigation.”
There are inconsistencies in the date of birth mentioned in Majeda Begum’s certificates, MPO sheet and national identity card. Most recently, in December 2025, she corrected her date of birth in the national identity card. This may be considered a punishable offence under the government notification (May 15, 2024).
According to the complaint submitted to the Ministry of Education, though the governing body has the authority to appoint an acting principal in any institution, Majeda Begum was directly given the responsibility of this post by the education board in violation of rules. Though the meeting related to this appointment was shown as an emergency meeting, all members of the governing body were not present. Two members and three ‘illegal members’ attended the meeting. It does not end here as she herself signed in place of the president’s signature in the approval letter for her own appointment.
The complaint alleges that she exerted political influence to grab the acting principal post of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. Besides, Majeda Begum ascended to this position through huge financial transactions. However, before becoming acting principal, she joined Viqarunnisa as a part-time demonstrator. Later, without any circular, she was promoted to full-time lecturer post. Even though there was an MPO-listed teacher in her subject, she became MPO-listed, which is a clear violation of recruitment rules.
Investigation reveals that acting principal Majeda Begum falsified her date of birth. According to documents, Majeda Begum passed SSC at only 13 years and 8 months of age. However, under current policy, one cannot sit for SSC examination below 16 years of age. Previously, it was 14 years. She resorted to falsification for this, alleges the complaint. Sources concerned said Majeda Begum committed this novel fraud only to extend her service tenure.
“There are no clean bathrooms, pure water or sufficient fans in the school. Yet acting principal Majeda Begum is spending huge amounts in other sectors. Syllabus, calendar, diary and ID cards were distributed mid-year and the annual sports prize distribution ceremony was held mid-August. Such incidents are rare in Viqarunnisa’s history,” said a ninth-grade student on condition of anonymity.
Investigation information reveals that despite the ad hoc committee having no authority to recruit teachers, 11 teachers were given contractual appointments at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. Of them, four were in the college section and seven in the school section. Huge financial transactions took place in these appointments. Though these appointments were not rule-compliant, they were later made permanent through money. In contrast, two teachers who refused to provide financial benefits were deprived of permanent status. Besides, attempts are underway to permanent three employees of the IT section, alleges the complaint.
According to the complaint submitted to the Ministry of Education, 11 branch heads were appointed through internal circular. Of them, two posts are MPO-listed assistant headteacher posts. In appointing these posts, circular in national dailies and presence of Maushi representative were required but these were not followed.
Serious allegations of irregularities have also surfaced against acting principal Majeda Begum regarding allocation of the institution’s canteen. According to the complaint, the highest bidder was bypassed and the work was given to the fourth bidder in canteen allocation. A financial transaction of 20 lakh taka took place behind this.
Besides, nearly 6 crore taka deposited from school fund in 1999 for establishing Viqarunnisa University has now reached nearly 10 crore with interest but Majeda Begum has taken no effective initiative to recover it. Though court verdict is in favour of the school, the current administration is playing an inactive role on this issue, alleges the complaint.
“We have collected various documents from Viqarunnisa Noon School and College regarding the allegations. These documents are being scrutinised. Tomorrow Sunday (January 10), the probe committee will sit in discussion on these matters. If the allegations are proved, recommendation will be made to the ministry to take appropriate action against Majeda Begum,” said Professor Kazi Md Abu Kaiyum Shishir, director and head of the probe committee.
A ninth-grade student of Viqarunnisa said on condition of anonymity, “There are no clean bathrooms, pure water or sufficient fans in the school. Yet acting principal Majeda Begum is spending huge amounts in other sectors. Syllabus, calendar, diary and ID cards were distributed mid-year and the annual sports prize distribution ceremony was held mid-August. Such incidents are rare in Viqarunnisa’s history.”
A guardian of an eleventh-grade student said, “Such allegations in one of the country’s largest women’s educational institutions not only indicate administrative failure but raise serious questions over transparency and accountability of the entire education system. If swift investigation and effective measures are not taken, its negative impact may fall on the future of students.”
When asked about the matter, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (Maushi) Director General (additional charge) Professor B M Abdul Hannan told The Daily Campus, “Complaint was submitted to the Ministry of Education against Viqarunnisa principal. Following ministry directives, we have formed a probe committee. The committee is working on the matters.”
When contacted, head of the Maushi-formed probe committee and director of the organisation’s Monitoring and Evaluation Wing Professor Kazi Md Abu Kaiyum Shishir told The Daily Campus, “We have collected various documents from Viqarunnisa Noon School and College regarding the allegations. These documents are being scrutinised. Tomorrow Sunday (January 10), the probe committee will sit in discussion on these matters. If the allegations are proved, recommendation will be made to the ministry to take appropriate action against Majeda Begum.”
