CCC backtracks on school demolition

In the wake of strong protest, the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) has decided to scrap its plans for a 16-storey multi-purpose commercial building on the land of two schools in Chittagong.
“In the revised plan we are now planning to construct a six-storey building only for the academic purpose and infrastructural development of the two girls' schools”, said CCC Chief Education Officer Prof Rawshan Akhter Hanif.
The schools are Aparana Charan City Corporation Girls' High School and Krishna Kumari City Corporation Girls' High School.
The previous plan had put the two schools on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floor of the proposed building while the rest of the structure was to be used for commercial purpose.
Though the education ministry is known to have sent a letter to the CCC asking to stop the project following a direction from the prime minister, CCC officials said they were yet to receive such instruction.
Prof Rawshan, also a former student of Aparana Charan school, said primarily the ground floor would be set up to run the activities of the two schools at a cost of Tk 1 crore.
The CCC also has plans to set up a girls' college on the upper floors of the building, she added.
CCC Executive Engineer Anwar Hossain said primarily they are going to submit a proposal for a six-storey building to the CDA within a day or two with two basement floors and all necessary facilities for the two schools.
He did not say anything about the foundation but said more floors would be added in future.
The new design include parking spaces in the basements, auditorium, assembly hall, library, IT village and cultural centre on the ground floor and classrooms, teachers' common rooms, academic offices, indoor sport centres for students, canteens and common rooms on other floors.
People concerned are sceptical about CCC's move and interpret it to be a strategy to befool the common people.