The house tutor system has long been a cornerstone of student welfare, academic support and supervision in Dhaka University’s residential halls. However, weak implementation of policies, inadequate oversight, politically influenced appointments, and a lack of accountability have left the system ineffective in many halls.

After speaking to students, provosts and teachers from the university’s 13 male residential halls, TBS found significant differences in the performance of house tutors across halls.

In most cases many of the responsibilities outlined in university regulations remain confined to paper. A digital monitoring system introduced by the university in 2024 to oversee tutors’ activities has also become virtually defunct.

System rooted in university’s founding vision

The residential tutoring system has been closely linked to Dhaka University since its establishment. Following the recommendations of the 1917 Sadler Commission, the halls were envisioned as centres for students’ academic and personal development.

In his book Dhaka Bishwabidyalay o Elakar Itihas (1599–2012) [History of Dhaka University and Its Area, 1599–2012], researcher Mohammad Ashraful Islam notes that the commission recommended that halls function as centres for tutorials and overall student development. University teachers were expected to be attached to halls and provide academic and personal guidance to a designated group of students.

According to the university registrar’s office, 268 positions for residential and assistant residential teachers are available across 18 residential halls, with appointments made by the respective hall provosts.

House tutors receive campus accommodation, with part of their salary deducted for housing. Assistant house tutors receive a monthly allowance of Tk2,200, while house tutors receive Tk3,000 plus an electricity allowance. The positions also carry benefits for career promotion.

Rules exist, but implementation weak

Under the 2022 Residential Hall Management Policy, house tutors must remain in their offices for student consultations at least two days a week, inspect their assigned floor or block weekly, and meet students after 10pm at least once a month.

Their duties also include maintaining room-wise student records, handling complaints, joining hall inspections, overseeing seat allocation, serving on canteen and sports committees, and promoting co-curricular activities.

Students, however, say these responsibilities are rarely fulfilled.

Habib Ullah, general secretary of Sir AF Rahman Hall, alleged that although the hall has six residential teachers, only one is regularly available when needed. “Even after repeatedly informing the provost, nothing changes.”

Khaled Hossain, GS of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, estimated that only about 30% of tutors perform their duties regularly, while most attend only official meetings.

Students and officials said the lack of engagement has affected food quality, accommodation management, co-curricular activities and the overall academic environment.

A former hall provost, speaking anonymously, said better coordination among staff, house tutors, and provosts could improve student services.

Assistant Professor Tanvir Nahid Khan, a house tutor at AF Rahman Hall, said departmental and examination-related work can sometimes limit teachers’ involvement. However, he added that teachers have helped some halls eliminate gono rooms.

“Many house tutors perform their duties properly. However, the negative aspects often receive more attention,” he said.

Situation better in female halls

Students and officials said the situation is considerably better in the university’s female halls.

Maisha Maliha, a resident of Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, told TBS that house tutors divide responsibilities and remain on their assigned floors from morning to evening.

“We also have a WhatsApp group with the teachers. If we face any problems, we inform them there and they respond. They also remain on duty at night to assist students during medical emergencies,” she said.

Professor Salma Nasrin, provost of Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, said house tutors share administrative duties and remain on their assigned floors throughout the day despite their heavy workloads. They also perform on-call duties and provide emergency assistance after 10pm when necessary.

Monitoring software abandoned

To improve oversight, the university introduced the “House Tutor Hall Visit” software in 2024. It allowed tutors to upload records, photographs and videos of hall inspections for review by provosts and administrators.

University data, however, show that the initiative has largely collapsed. According to the ICT Cell, only one of the university’s 23 halls and hostels was using the software as of June 2026. Fourteen halls were using it in November 2024, while four continued until June 2025.

Most halls thus abandoned the system within two years of its launch, effectively ending the university’s digital monitoring initiative. The change in university leadership and appointment of new provosts following the July mass uprising also contributed to its decline.

“This is the first time I’ve heard about it. I have no idea about it,” said Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin, provost of Amar Ekushey Hall.

A former hall provost said the software had been useful for monitoring tutor activities and managing seat allocation. “However, its benefits were lost because it was no longer being used.”

Political loyalty influences appointments

At least three current and former hall provosts who previously served as house tutors told TBS that political loyalty is often considered in appointments amid a shortage of residential facilities. This, they said, leaves provosts with limited scope to take action against tutors.

Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Abdus Salam, however, rejected the suggestion that the system had broadly failed.

“It cannot be said that house tutors generally do not work. Some may neglect their duties, but most perform their responsibilities properly and the system remains functional,” he said.

Regarding the unused monitoring software, he said the university would look into the matter.