1,172 Teachers Found with Fake Certificates; Tk 253 Crore Recovery Recommended

A major investigation by the Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) has uncovered 1,172 teachers and employees in private educational institutions across Bangladesh who were employed using fraudulent academic certificates. The scandal, one of the largest of its kind in recent years, has prompted recommendations to recover Tk 253 crore that these individuals received in salaries, allowances, and other financial benefits during their tenure.

In addition to salary-related losses, the DIA identified a wide range of financial irregularities, including fake recruitment, misappropriation of funds, manipulation involving VAT and income tax, and other forms of institutional malpractice. The agency will also recommend disciplinary measures against all individuals involved.

Professor M. M. Shahidul Islam, Director of the DIA, told the media that preparations are underway to submit a detailed report and a complete list of fraudulent certificate holders to the Ministry of Education. The ministry will be urged to take “appropriate and immediate action” against those found guilty.

Rajshahi Division Tops the List

According to DIA records, the highest number of teachers with forged certificates were detected in the Rajshahi division, where 779 individuals were found to have used fake academic documentation. The report also identifies 120 individuals under the Madrasa Education Directorate, 70 in Dhaka division, 179 in Khulna, and 24 in Chattogram division.

The investigation further revealed that among the 1,172 fraudulent educators, around 400 individuals possessed entirely fabricated certificates with no academic basis whatsoever. Of these, nearly 300 certificates were labelled “unacceptable” due to major inconsistencies, document manipulation, or evidence of deliberate falsification.

First Batch of Names to Be Sent

Sources confirmed that the DIA will initially send a list of 400 teachers to the Ministry of Education as part of the first phase of administrative processing. These individuals are likely to face immediate punitive measures, including termination, legal proceedings, and the recovery of unlawfully obtained funds.

The report states that the scale of the fraud suggests a coordinated and long-standing system involving both the individuals who submitted fake certificates and institutional actors who may have facilitated or ignored the fraudulent documentation. Investigators suspect that some school authorities intentionally overlooked verification procedures, allowing unqualified individuals to secure teaching positions.

Financial Loss and Impact on Education Quality

The total recommended recovery amount—Tk 253 crore—reflects salaries, allowances, and benefits paid over several years to staff who were not legally qualified to hold their positions. Officials argue that the presence of unqualified teachers not only caused financial damage but also severely undermined the standard of education offered to students.

The Ministry of Education is expected to evaluate the findings and take action in phases. Punitive measures may range from dismissal and criminal charges to the suspension of institutional management committees where complicity is proven.

The unfolding scandal has intensified demands for stronger verification mechanisms, digital scrutiny of academic records, and stricter enforcement to prevent the recruitment of unqualified educators in future.