Rajbari Students Ordered to Plant 200 Trees Each After Skipping School, Forging Leave Approval

Four students from a government secondary school in Bangladesh's Rajbari district have been directed to plant 200 tree saplings each within seven days after they were found skipping classes and allegedly forging a leave application to leave school during academic hours.

The incident occurred on Thursday in Pangsha Upazila, where the students were spotted wearing school uniforms while spending time near a pond instead of attending classes. The decision was taken by Pangsha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Rifatul Haque, who described the measure as a corrective punishment designed to encourage responsibility rather than impose conventional disciplinary action.

According to local officials, the UNO was returning to his office after attending a tree sapling distribution programme at the Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) office located within the Upazila Parishad complex. While passing through the premises, he noticed four students standing near the eastern pond area during school hours.

When questioned, the students identified themselves as learners of Pangsha Government George Pilot High School. They initially claimed they had received permission during the school's tiffin break and had come to the pond for a swim.
 

However, after contacting the school administration, the UNO was informed that no leave had been granted to the students and that the school had not authorized any of them to leave the campus.
 

The students were then taken to the UNO's office for further questioning. During the discussion, one of the students reportedly admitted that they had left school after attending a relative's wedding and intended to bathe before joining the family gathering.
 

Later in the day, the students returned to the UNO's office accompanied by their parents. During the meeting, they reportedly acknowledged that they had forged the signature of the school's assistant head teacher to create what appeared to be an approved leave application.

Following the admission, the students' guardians appealed for leniency and assured the administration that similar misconduct would not be repeated in the future.

Instead of imposing a financial penalty or taking legal action, the UNO instructed each student to plant 200 tree saplings together with their parents within the next seven days. The initiative was intended to serve both as a disciplinary lesson and as a contribution to local environmental conservation efforts.

School authorities confirmed that the four students are enrolled in the tenth grade and had allegedly climbed over the school's boundary wall before leaving the campus without permission.

Acting Head Teacher Rasheda Khatun said educational institutions increasingly face challenges in maintaining discipline while balancing students' rights and concerns over excessive punishment.

She noted that teachers often find themselves in a difficult position, as strict disciplinary measures can sometimes lead to complaints against school authorities. Despite these challenges, she said the school continues working to guide students toward responsible behavior and uphold academic discipline.

The UNO also revealed that absenteeism has been an ongoing concern at the institution. During an inspection visit to the school on June 21, he found approximately 131 students absent from classes. The issue prompted a meeting with parents on June 23 to discuss improving attendance and student accountability.

According to the local administration, the latest incident occurred only days after that meeting, raising fresh concerns about student discipline.
 

Md. Rifatul Haque said the authorities chose a relatively mild corrective measure because it was the students' first known offense. He warned, however, that repeated violations involving class absenteeism, document forgery or other forms of misconduct could result in stricter disciplinary action in the future.

The case has drawn attention for its unconventional approach to student discipline, with the emphasis placed on environmental responsibility, parental involvement and behavioral reform rather than punitive sanctions alone. Local officials hope the tree-planting initiative will encourage the students to reflect on their actions while also making a positive contribution to the community.