Dhaka: Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued an urgent directive cautioning heads of educational institutions against fraudulence or misappropriation of students’ stipend or scholarship funds, officials said here today. They emphasized the necessity of using the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) system for disbursing all types of scholarships and stipends to PSC, JSC, SSC, HSC, and graduation level students, ensuring that the money is deposited directly into the concerned students’ scheduled bank accounts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the directive was issued following reports of fraudsters posing as officials from the education ministry, DSHE, education boards, various government offices, and banks. These fraudsters attempted to collect money, user IDs, passwords, banking details, and even debit/credit card PINs or OTPs from institutions or student guardians under false pretenses.
The DSHE issued the directives on May 15, with officials noting that necessary guidelines related to this process have been uploaded to the notice board on DSHE’s official website. They also instructed the chiefs of educational institutions to keep banking details, debit/credit card PINs, and OTPs confidential to prevent fraudulent activities.
The DSHE simultaneously reiterated the importance of safeguarding all login credentials to prevent any misuse, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance to protect students’ financial aids from fraudulent actions.