A primary school at Golkhali union in Galachipa upazila has been running with only one teacher for the last 10 months, hampering the students' education.

A total of 111 students of six classes, including pre-primary, are being deprived of proper education at Bolaibunia Government Primary School in the district due to shortage of teachers.

Assistant teacher Uttam Kumar Mondol has been serving as acting headmaster since the then headmaster Kamal Hossain died on November 13 in 2017.

The school was set up in 1943 in a tin-shed and a one-storey building was built in 1999. The building has become risky as it has not been repaired since it was built.

During a recent visit to the school, this correspondent found Uttam teaching 63 students of pre-primary and Classes I and II at the same time in one room.

The school is run in two shifts. The first shift runs from 9:30am to 12:00 noon and the second shift runs from 12:00 noon to 4:15pm.

In the first shift, students of pre-primary, Class I and Class II sit in one room and the lone teacher takes classes in all the subjects, while Classes III, IV and V are held together in the same room in the second shift.

Md Faysal, a Class II student, said they have to attend classes with students of other classes at a time.

Runia Akhter, a Class V student, said they cannot pay attention as the classroom is too noisy and crowded.

"Although there is shortage of teachers, I send my daughter to the school as it is near my house," said Nazrul Islam, father of Runia.

Uttam said he joined the school in 2016 as a pre-primary teacher, but has been running the school's activities, including conducting classes and doing official works, since the then headmaster died on November 13 last year.

"I have to close the school when I need to go to the upazila or district town for official purposes," he said.

School Managing Committee Chairman Md Nizam Pahloan said teachers do not want to go to the school as it is situated in a remote area.

“I informed the higher authorities about the situation several times, but no steps have been taken yet,” he said.

Galachipa Upazila Primary Education Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said he has learnt about the matter and more teachers will be appointed to the school very soon.