08 October, 2026 – CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh: Clinton Saha, a Hindu candidate who ranked second on the merit list for an assistant teacher position in a government primary school, has reportedly been denied an appointment due to complications involving his permanent address, despite passing both the written and oral examinations and being recommended for recruitment.
Saha, a resident of the Choumuhani area of Chittagong city, said he is a Bangladeshi citizen and holds a national identity card. However, he was not issued an appointment letter during the final verification process because he could not establish a permanent residential address. He said his appeal for humanitarian consideration was not accepted by the authorities.
Saha’s family has reportedly suffered repeated displacement due to river erosion. According to him, their house and business premises were destroyed by river erosion around seven times. The family’s remaining property was also sold many years ago, leaving them without their own permanent homestead. They have been living in Chittagong for approximately 21 years.
On Tuesday, Saha visited the office of the Chittagong District Primary Education Officer to submit an application requesting reconsideration of his case. However, as the district primary education officer was absent, his application was reportedly not accepted. Saha said he requested another official to receive the application, but the official declined.
According to information from the district primary education office, 12 candidates were included in the recruitment list for the Double Mooring education zone in March this year. Saha’s name appeared at number 10 on the list, with the number “2” recorded in the merit-ranking column. Five candidates initially received appointment letters, and another six were issued appointment letters in September. Saha was reportedly the only candidate on that list who did not receive an appointment letter.
A family repeatedly displaced by river erosion
Saha’s family originally came from Hatiya upazila in Noakhali district, where his father had a business and shop, and the family had a permanent address. In 2005, when Saha was still very young, river erosion forced them to relocate to Chittagong.
After moving to the city, his father began working in the retail trade of vegetables and fruit. The family rented a house in the Mogoltuli area under Double Mooring Police Station, where Saha grew up.
Saha completed his secondary education at Pathantuli City Corporation Boys’ High School in 2014 and later completed higher secondary education at Dewanhat City Corporation College. He subsequently earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from Chittagong College.
He is the youngest of four siblings. His two elder sisters are married, while his younger sister has completed higher education. Saha currently lives with his parents and a sister. As his father is elderly and unwell, Saha said he bears a substantial share of the family’s expenses. He supported his own education by working as a private tutor.
Land documents submitted, but appointment still denied
Saha said he explained during the verification process that his family had previously owned a home, but it had been lost to river erosion. He also submitted the land documents that remained available. Later, he provided his maternal grandfather’s address in Sandwip as an alternative.
However, during a subsequent verification, officials again asked him to establish his permanent address. Saha said he explained the circumstances once more, but he still did not receive an appointment letter.
“I now feel afraid to sit for job examinations,” Saha said. “Even if I pass the written examination, I worry about what I will say if they ask me for a permanent address during the viva. Because of this, I have lost interest in taking examinations. I am mentally devastated.”
Education department says reasons are confidential
According to the district primary education office, 24 candidates were excluded from a list of 551 candidates because they failed to submit the required documents. Of the remaining 527 candidates, 525 received appointment letters. The department did not publicly specify why the other two candidates, including Saha, were not issued appointment letters.
Firoz Ahmed, Chittagong District Primary Education Officer, said the office was not authorised to disclose the reasons, describing the matter as confidential. He said appointments had been issued according to the instructions received by the office.
Officials familiar with the recruitment process reportedly indicated that some candidates had been excluded because of issues involving political affiliations or permanent addresses. However, the precise reason for Saha’s exclusion has not been conclusively established, although complications concerning his permanent address were identified as a possible factor.
District administration says no formal application has been received
The district deputy commissioner heads the district placement committee responsible for the appointment and placement process for government primary school assistant teachers.
Asked about Saha’s case, Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia said his office had not yet received an application of this nature. He added that if an application were submitted, it would be forwarded to the relevant ministry.
Saha is seeking reconsideration of his case, arguing that his academic performance and merit ranking should be considered alongside the circumstances that deprived his family of a permanent home through repeated river erosion.
