Parents and students alleged the authority of Chhengarchar Government Model High School in North Matlab upazila of Chandpur of taking Tk 50 per Covid-19 vaccine jab to students.

When asked, Benzir Ahmed, headmaster of the only government school in the area, even accepted the allegation saying, “To meet the many expenses of conducting the vaccine campaign from our school as a center we are taking Tk 50 from the students per jab.”

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Parents claimed some students had to pay more than Tk 50.

There are 1,000 students currently enrolled in the school which indicates only from its own students the authority could collect Tk 50,000 in this regard.

The government directed to vaccinate the school students on an emergency basis by January 31 to ensure the quality of education and their attendance in the schools amid a surge in the Covid-19 cases.

Though the government is vaccinating the students free of cost, collecting money by the Chhengarchar Government Model High School authority has agitated the parents and concerned locals.

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However, Abdul Kayum Khan, Upazila Secondary Education officer told UNB he didn’t receive any complaint in this regard and will take actions after an inquiry.

Meanwhile, Md Gias Uddin patwari, District Secondary Education officer also said he had no such information and will take administrative measures if it's true.