Teacher Apprehended While Selling Free State Textbooks

In a startling breach of public trust, a secondary school teacher and an accomplice were apprehended by police in Barisal while allegedly attempting to sell government-issued textbooks. These books, part of a national programme intended for free distribution to eighth and ninth-grade students, were intercepted before they could be diverted into the private market.

The Midnight Sting Operation

Acting on a confidential tip-off, officers from the Kotwali Model Police Station conducted a strategic raid late on Saturday night. The operation took place outside a library located in the Onami Lane area of Sadar Road, a prominent commercial hub in Barisal city.

The suspects were reportedly caught red-handed as they prepared to offload the inventory from a delivery van. Police recovered a total of 329 textbooks, all bearing the official seal of the government’s free distribution initiative. These materials are strictly prohibited from sale and are funded by taxpayers to ensure educational accessibility for all children, regardless of their financial background.

Suspects Identified

The primary suspect has been identified as Shafiqul Islam, an assistant teacher at the Karnakathi Agrajatra Ideal Secondary School, situated in the Charkaua Union of Barisal Sadar. Also detained was Rubel Khan, the driver of the van used to transport the illicit cargo.

According to Sub-Inspector (SI) Md. Kamal Hossain, the preliminary investigation suggests that the books were misappropriated directly from the stock allocated to the Karnakathi Agrajatra Ideal Secondary School.

Incident Summary at a Glance

Legal Consequences and Public Outcry

The incident has sparked significant outrage among local residents and educational advocates. The “Free Textbook Festival” is a cornerstone of the national curriculum, and the sight of a teacher—entrusted with the moral and intellectual development of the youth—clandestinely selling these resources has been described as a “betrayal of the profession.”

SI Md. Kamal Hossain confirmed the details of the arrest on Sunday afternoon, stating, “We intercepted the suspects following a lead regarding the illegal sale of state property. The sheer volume of books recovered suggests a premeditated attempt to profit from resources meant for underprivileged students.”

The police are currently investigating whether other staff members or local library owners were involved in this procurement ring. Formal legal proceedings are underway, and both suspects remain in police custody.