In a startling breach of professional ethics, a schoolteacher from the Kurigram district was detained on Monday, 16 February 2026, after allegedly attempting to deliver a 700,000 BDT bribe to a high-ranking education official in Rangpur. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the regional academic community, unfolded at the Office of the Deputy Director of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) for the Rangpur region.
The individual, identified as Maidul Islam, a teacher at Kazaikata High School in Roumari Upazila, was apprehended in possession of the illicit funds. The cash was purportedly intended to facilitate the inclusion of several teachers and staff members from his institution into the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) system—a government subsidy programme that covers the basic salaries of private educational staff.
The Ambush at the Directorate
According to Roksana Begum, the Deputy Director for the Rangpur region, the encounter began when Mr Islam arrived at her chambers on Monday afternoon. When questioned regarding the purpose of his visit, the teacher reportedly presented a text message on his mobile phone as context before revealing a bag containing the substantial sum of money.
“He repeatedly gestured toward his bag, insisting there was 7 lakh BDT inside,” the Deputy Director recounted. “He requested that I accept the funds in exchange for securing the necessary permits for his school’s MPO enlistment.”
In a swift response to the blatant solicitation, the Deputy Director summoned her office staff and instructed them to detain Mr Islam while she alerted the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
ACC Intervention and Legal Consequences
Upon receiving the report, Shaon Mia, the Deputy Director of the Rangpur Integrated ACC Office, arrived at the scene with a tactical team. A formal search of the suspect’s belongings led to the recovery of the full 700,000 BDT in cash.
The ACC has confirmed that during preliminary questioning, the accused admitted his intent to bribe the official to bypass standard regulatory hurdles. The following table outlines the key details of the incident:
| Detail | Information |
| Suspect | Maidul Islam (Teacher, Kazaikata High School) |
| Location | DSHE Office, Rangpur Education Complex |
| Bribe Amount | 700,000 BDT |
| Primary Objective | Illicit MPO enlistment of school staff |
| Intercepting Authority | Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) |
| Current Status | In Custody; Prosecution Pending |
A System Under Scrutiny
The MPO system is often a flashpoint for corruption within the Bangladeshi education sector, as enlistment guarantees long-term financial security for private teachers. This incident underscores the persistent pressure on officials and the lengths to which some may go to manipulate the bureaucracy.
The ACC has stated that they are currently preparing a formal case against Mr Islam. Investigators are also looking into whether other individuals or members of the school management committee were involved in pooling the funds for the attempted bribe.