Two Milestone teachers, who died trying to save students, to be given state honour

The interim government has decided to give state honour to the two teachers from Milestone School and College, who lost their lives while trying to save students during Monday's tragic plane crash.

The decision was made during an Advisory Council meeting held at the Chief Adviser's Office today (24 July), according to a statement from the Chief Adviser's Press Wing. The details of the state recognition will be finalised soon, it added.

The teachers, Maherin Chowdhury and Masuka Begum, succumbed to severe burns injuries on 21 July, after a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a building of the school in Uttara's Diabari, triggering a deadly fire.

The government has also pledged full support to the families of the deceased and to those injured in the incident. The Ministry of Education will consult with school authorities to determine the next course of action.

At the start of the Advisory Council meeting, a condolence resolution was adopted in memory of those who lost their lives in the plane crash, followed by a minute's silence in honour of the victims. Prayers were also offered for the departed souls. 

Additionally, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will coordinate special prayers at all religious institutions across the country today, seeking peace for the souls of the deceased and recovery for the injured.

On 21 July, when the BAF aircraft crashed into the school building, chaos and fire swept through the premises within moments. 

As people ran for their lives, Maherin Chowdhury, a teacher at the school, did not seek safety. Instead, she chose to stay behind – helping children escape through the flames, ultimately sustaining fatal burns.

Maherin was the coordinator for classes 3, 4, and 5 at the primary section of the institution. After the crash, her colleagues urged her to leave the building. But she refused. Her priority was the children.

Doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery said she suffered 100% burns. After fighting for her life for several hours, Maherin passed away at 10:30pm on 21 July.

Masuka Begum also suffered the same fate as she was reportedly inside a classroom when the aircraft hit.

According to family members, she tried to help her students escape but was caught in the flames. She died later that night while receiving treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

"She could have saved herself. But she tried to save the children first. Before she died, she asked that her body be brought to her sister's house. We fulfilled that wish," said Khalilur Rahman, her brother-in-law.

Masuka  was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon at her sister's village home in Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria.