An associate professor at Cumilla Government Women’s College broke down in tears today (25 July) and appealed to students to end their protest after the government recently transferred him along with six other teachers following controversy over waterlogging at an HSC examination centre.

Mohammad Mohsin, an associate professor of English, appealed to students with folded hands during a human chain outside the college.

He urged them not to continue the demonstration, saying he feared it could put his government job at risk.

“I am a government employee. Please do not cost me my job. If you continue this protest, I may lose my job,” he told the students before breaking down in tears and falling at their feet. The transfers have triggered widespread anger in Cumilla.

Students claim the authorities punished teachers for waterlogging that lay beyond their control. They demanded that the government revoke the transfer orders.

The protesting students said the college campus becomes waterlogged after about an hour of heavy rain. They questioned why teachers should face consequences for a long-standing drainage problem. The protesters said they cannot come to college by helicopter.

The authorities have not taken action against those responsible for the waterlogging, they stated, demanding that these “inhumane” transfers be withdrawn. Transfer orders: The Ministry of Education issued the transfer orders on Wednesday (23 July).

A letter signed by Md A Quddus, deputy secretary of the Government College-2 Branch under the Secondary and Higher Education Division, instructed the seven teachers to leave their current workplaces by 29 July.

The ministry transferred Vice Principal AKM Zahirul Alam to Chiora Government College in Chauddagram, Cumilla.

It also transferred Mathematics Professor Md Abdul Malek to Cox’s Bazar Government College, Associate Professor of Botany Konok Barua to Hatiya Government College in Noakhali, Associate Professor of Islamic History and Culture Dr Muhammad Ullah Majumder to Lakshmipur Government College, Assistant Professor of Political Science Nur Mohammad Nur Ullah to Nabinagar Government College in Brahmanbaria, Lecturer in Accounting Md Al-Amin to Beanibazar Government College in Sylhet, and Associate Professor of English Mohammad Mohsin to Barguna Government College.

The seven teachers had different roles in HSC examination management. However, colleagues said Vice Principal Zahirul Alam had no role in conducting the examinations and that his son is currently taking the HSC examinations.

They also said Abdul Malek, the junior-most professor in his department, took charge as acting officer after senior colleagues declined the responsibility.

Konok Barua served as convener of the examination committee, while Mohammad Mohsin is secretary of the college teachers’ council, they added. What happened Earlier, on 18 July, Cumilla-6 lawmaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury visited the college after the waterlogging incident.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the flooded campus and criticised examination management during a meeting with teachers. He also said the incident harmed the image of the government and the education minister.

Teachers rejected the allegation that they mishandled the examinations. They said the college has served as an HSC examination centre since its establishment. Although heavy rainfall flooded parts of the campus on the morning of 13 July, every candidate reached the centre, and the examinations began on time, they added.

The teachers said they were transferred simply because rainwater accumulated on the campus. A Ministry of Education official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said transfers form part of routine administrative practice and that the ministry has the authority to transfer government employees.

Heavy rain flooded the college campus on the morning of 13 July. Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Md Yusuf Molla Tipu arranged small boats and vans to help candidates reach the examination centre.

Volunteers from the organisation Bibek also assisted students, while teachers helped guide them into the examination halls.