110 govt primary schools suspend classes

As many as 110 government primary schools in Sylhet and Moulvibazar have suspended classes as the institutions have gone under floodwater.

Students of many other flood-affected primary schools have to go to school on small boats at risk of their lives for the last few days in the two districts.

Manoranjan Das, guardian of a student at Nischintapur Government Primary School in Juri upazila of Moulvibazar, said they feel afraid when their kids go to school on boats amid risk. If a road is built near the school, most of the students and teachers would be able to go to school easily. “We feel more worried when see small kids row the boats themselves,” he added.

Bibekananda Das, assistant teacher of the school, told this correspondent that they started classes on June 19 after a long closure. They are teaching only Class V students as special preparation for those who will sit for the PSC examinations, adding that most of them come to the school on small boats.

Popi Begum, a student at Gourcharon Government Primary School in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar, said they feel afraid when the boats reach the middle of the haor and face the waves.

Kulomohon Das, headmaster of Shahpur Government Primary School in Juri upazila, said their school building is under five to six feet of water, so they had to close it. It will take some more time to resume classes fully, he added.

Md Abdul Kadir, president of Modongouri Government Primary School managing committee in the same upazila, said they feel anxious as the kids cross the water in boats amid risk.

Azizur Rahman, Chairman of Bhuksimul Union Parishad under Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar, said most of the area is under water. Upazila administration authorities suspended classes in Modongouri, Jabda, Muktajipur and Kalesha Government Primary Schools as they are under water.

Md Bayzid Khan, Moulvibazar district primary education officer, told this correspondent that 59 primary schools were closed as the classrooms are under water, while the grounds of 56 schools are submerged. Most of the students are coming to classes on boats, he added.

Md Obaidullah, Sylhet district primary education officer, told this correspondent that 51 primary schools have been closed, adding that 162 schools are open, but attendance is very poor.

Faruqee Mahmud Chowdhury, president of Susasoner Jonno Nagorik, Sylhet chapter, said the communication system in the haor areas turns very bad every year during the rainy season as strong waves hamper normal movement, making boat journey highly risky for the children.

Many children drown every year while going to school during the rainy season, he said, adding that parents prefer not to send their children to school fearing the high risk involved in their journey.

We have suggested to the government to introduce water bus services for safe movement of students, which will also reduce dropout rate at the schools, he added.