1,156 teachers with fake certificates to get sacked, return pay

In a major scam, as many as 1,156 non-government teachers’ registration and certification authority (NTRCA), computer, BEd certificates, secretarial and other certificates submitted by teachers across the country have been found to be fake. 

A whopping 793 of the 1,156 teachers had provided fake NTRCA certificates while 296 others provided false computer skill certificates and 67 fake BEd, secretarial and other certificates, reports Prothom Alo.

The certificates were submitted to non-government educational institutions.

Having the made the finding recently, the Department of Inspection and Audit (DIA) has recommended that the authorities remove the concerned teachers and take their total salaries back.

Even though the exact sum could not be ascertained, the DIA recommended to take back Tk 150 million that was paid to teachers with fake certificates in Khulna and Barishal divisions.

The NTRCA certificates are usually submitted during the appointment of the teachers. The scandal was unconvered by the DIA by cross-checking the documents with the NTRCA. 

Some 443 cases of certificate forgery were reported from Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions while 366 from Dhaka and Mymensingh, 251 from Khulna and Barishal, and 96 from Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.

The DIA, under the ministry of education, audits educational institutions and makes necessary recommendations in order to improve quality of education and maintain financial transparency. DIA Director Oliullah Md Azmatgir said his office submits audit report and the education ministry takes further step.

At one time the managing committee of a non-government educational institution used to have the sole authority of teacher recruitment. But things have changed and the teachers are now recruited centrally through the NTRCA. There is no scope for recruiting teachers without NTRCA certificate.

After recruitment, the directorate of secondary and higher education (DSHE) ensures the MPO facility to a teacher. Such incidents of certificate forgery can easily be prevented if the credentials are verified properly in the enlisting process.

Asked about the ways to prevent such forgeries, Professor Dr Syed Md Golam Faruk, director general of DSHE, said online certificate verification can be an effective way to prevent MPO registration through fake certificates. This process has already been initiated.