Schoolhouse at risk

Teachers and students of Pashchim Bangabari Government Primary school in Saghata upazila are crowding for taking lesson in a single room of a nearly collapsed building, as ground soil under the building was washed away by the last flood.

Taking risk, students and teachers are attending classes in a single room just to cover the academic session. No measure is being taken to renovate the risky building although four months have already elapsed.

The school was set up in 1986 and subsequently nationalised in 2013. The school authority meanwhile constructed a building and now 165 students are taking lessons in the school conducted by three teachers in two shifts.

The floor of the schoolhouse sagged to the ground and cracks developed in the walls, and so, a large portion of the building might collapsed anytime, if it is not renovated immediately, said teachers.

During the last flood, surging water washed away soil under the foundation of the schoolhouse and one room looks like hanging. Teaches are taking classes in the next room amid risk.

“My daughter is a student of this school and anxiety grips the family when she stays at school,” said Ansar Ali, a guardian of Bangabari village.

The students alleged that they are taking lessons in a tense situation, as  the schoolhouse has becomme too risky.

Golam Faruk, headmaster of the school, said providing education to the students has become tough in a risky and congested room. Three more rooms are needed for the smooth running of classes but no response has been received from anywhere in this respect.

"Meanwhile, we have appealed to the authorities concerned for taking immediate measures to reconstruct the school building but no initiative has been taken  yet," he added.

"A proposal for renovation of the schoolhouse with appeal for allocation of adequate fund was sent to the education ministry. The work will start as soon the fund received," said Azizul Islam, upazila education officer, Saghata