HC asks why education cadre officers opposing July Uprising should not face disciplinary action
The education secretary and other relevant authorities have been asked to reply within four weeks.
The High Court has issued a rule asking the government to explain why appropriate disciplinary action should not be taken against education cadre officers who opposed the July Uprising last year.
The bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Asif Hasan issued the rule today (23 November) after a primary hearing on a writ petition.
The education secretary and other relevant authorities have been asked to reply within four weeks. Advocate Md Jasim Uddin moved the petition, while Assistant Attorney General Ikramul Kabir represented the state.
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On 9 February, a national daily published a report titled "Education cadre officers out of reach." Citing that report, Advocate Md Jasim Uddin filed the public-interest writ petition with the High Court.
According to the report, many education cadre officers actively took to the field during the July Uprising to resist students and the public, and even joined Awami League political programmes to counter them.
It was believed that action would be taken after 5 August. However, no steps followed, and many of these officers are now allegedly engaging in covert — and in some cases open — conspiracy against the interim government.
The report stated that at least 30 officers, including the director-general, directors, assistant directors and inspectors of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and the Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA), were involved. Except for one, most remain beyond scrutiny.
During the tenure of the fallen Awami League government, the education sector reportedly experienced extensive politicisation.
Key posts in major institutions and directorates were filled with officers aligned with the ruling party's ideology. Political considerations allegedly dominated appointments, promotions and transfers — from director-general down to inspector level.
This sidelined many meritorious and qualified officers, who have yet to regain their footing.
Meanwhile, several of the earlier partisan officers continue to exert influence in the education sector, with some holding strategic posts. Recently, the appointment of a controversial teacher as DSHE director-general has sparked debate, while another controversial appointment as DG of the National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM) has also drawn criticism.
