Published on 12:00 AM, March 17, 2015

3 teachers for 19 students in erosion-hit pry school!

Appeal for shifting it to suitable place goes unheeded

Sitting in a single room, all the three teachers of Shinganagar Government Primary School at Shinganagar village in Sujanagar upazila under Pabna district impart lessons to a handful of students belonging to six classes from pre-primary to fifth grade. PHOTO: STAR
Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu

Shinghanagar Government Primary School at Shinghanagar village in Sujanagar upazila under the district is struggling for existence as only 19 students are presently enrolled there while most of the school land earlier went into the Padma riverbed.

Three teachers are now serving the school established in 1930.

"In last several years, the Padma devoured 33 decimals of land of the school as well as most of the areas of Shinghanagar village. Nineteen children, mostly from other villages, are reading in six classes from pre-primary to fifth grade in the school. Most of the students do not attend classes regularly," said Md Abu Sayeed, headmaster of the school.

The makeshift schoolhouse on the bank of the Padma remains very close to being devoured by the mighty river that eroded most of the village in last few years. PHOTO: STAR

"There are four other government primary schools -- Kondoppur, Shamnagar, Harirampur and Bhatpara primary schools within around half a kilometre from Shinghanagar Government Primary School and so, we have asked the officials of primary education department to shift the school to Kadoa village in Satbaria union where there is huge pressure of students," said Md Abul Hossain, chairman of Satbaria union parishad in Sujanagar upazila.

"As per rule, there should be at least 150 students to run a primary government school. Steps would be taken according to the rule," said Md Khalilur Rahman, district primary education officer.

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