Lone teacher for 203 students

On the banks of the Brahmaputra stands a primary school in a remote char at Chilmari upazila of Kurigram.

River erosion, flood, poverty and child marriage are some of the factors which stand in the way between quality education and Chilmari children.

However, against all odds, some 203 students are still pursuing their education at the Natarkandi Government Primary School on paper. Of them, 55-60 students regularly attend classes.

If only the classes were held regularly.

The school is run by only one teacher. Despite giving her best, acting headteacher Rozina Khatun struggles to hold all the classes.

Currently, there are five vacancies in the school out of six teaching positions offered.

The crisis started five years ago when the rest of the teachers retired together, leaving Rozina alone with the responsibilities of over 200 children in a remote area.

"Due to the unavailability of teachers, students' attendance has also decreased," Rozina said.

"I have told the education officer about this several times but nothing has been done," she added.

Simu Akhter, a fifth-grader at the school, told this correspondent that there was no teaching at the institution. They come to school only to spend their time and then they go back home.

"There is a teacher. She sometimes holds one or two classes," she said, adding that many of her friends have stopped coming to school as a result.

Sohrab Hossain, a guardian of a student, told this correspondent, "The school brings no benefit for our children. They are being deprived of education," he said.

Even the school managing committee is practically non-existent. Chilmari upazila assistant education officer Zakir Hossain was made convener of the committee a year ago but he never visited the school.

Asked, Zakir Hossain said he could not visit the school due to his busy schedule.

About the teacher crisis, he said the matter has been reported to the higher authorities. "For the time being, teaching activities will be carried out by appointing part-time teachers," he said.

However, Kurigram District Primary Education Officer Sahidul Islam said he did not know that a school was being taught by a lone teacher.

"I will take quick action on the matter," he said.