School runs with only three teachers

Academic activities at Noldogi Government Primary School in Laxmipur Sadar upazila are being seriously hampered as the school has been running with only three teachers for long.

Due to the shortage of assistant teachers, about 308 students of the institution are being deprived of proper education.

Moreover, classes are being held at three classrooms and the institution has only 40 benches for its 308 students.

Alongside teachers' crisis, the primary school in Kushakhali union has been facing other difficulties for lack of necessary infrastructures. 

The school, established in 1972, was nationalised in 2014, School Managing Committee President Shafiqur Rahman said.

As the old school building became risky the authorities concerned demolished it in 2016 to pave way for a new building there.

Although a new schoolhouse is yet to be built, the contractor concerned took away a major part of the old risky building, leaving rods and beams of its lower part scattered on the school compound.

The school authorities built two tin-shed rooms using the fund meant for maintenance of the school.

The compound of the school. PHOTO: STAR

The school managing committee election was held in September 2014 and though the tenure of the previous committee expired long ago, no initiative has been taken to hold a fresh election.

Jahangir Alam, father of Class V student Rahim Ullah, said as the authorities concerned are reluctant to hold a fresh election to the school managing committee local people are losing interest in involving themselves in development activities of the institution. 

Classes are being hampered due to acute teacher crisis and inadequate classrooms, he said.

School Managing Committee President Shafiqur Rahman said although the institution has approval for five teachers, it is running with only three teachers.

Acting Headmaster Abul Kalam Azad said they have informed the authorities concerned several times in this regard but to no avail.

Sadar Upazila Education Officer Md Moniruzzaman Mollah said he was not aware of the situation and will take necessary steps to solve the problems soon.