School compound waterlogged for 4 months

The compound of Loyarkul Government Primary School in Srimangal upazila has remained under stagnant water for over four months due to absence of proper drainage system.

As a result, academic and co-curricular activities at the government primary school, located along the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway, are being badly hampered as most of the classrooms are under stagnant water for the last couple of months.

Several students said their assembly has not been held for around four months due to the stagnant water.

During a recent visit to the school this correspondent found the playground of the institution has been badly affected by the prolonged water logging.

Due to waterlogged compound, students of the institution are being deprived of physical sports and other co-curricular activities.

Local residents said the situation got worsened since the flood in June this year as the school often gets waterlogged for several days even after a light rain throughout the year.

Moreover, students of all the six classes, including pre-primary section, are being taught in a single classroom as most of the classrooms are still under stagnant water, causing serious difficulties for the students and teachers.

The government primary school, established in 1902 and later reconstructed in 1999, has a total of 154 students, but only a small number of students were seen attending their classes due to prolonged flooding.

One of the guardians Sadek Mia said in absence of proper drainage facilities children are being deprived of proper education and different co-curricular activities for long.

Headteacher Indrajit Chandra Paul said as the school compound is comparatively much lower than the adjoining area, rainwater often remains stagnant on the schoolground.

Academic activities are being badly hampered as students and teachers have to wade across the stagnant water to reach the classroom, he said.

Written applications have been submitted to the upazila education officer (UEO) and upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) to take immediate measures to resolve the problem.

Acting Srimangal Upazila Primary Education Officer Jyotish Ranjan Das said they have told the local union parishad members to build a temporary drain system to resolve the problem at least for a time being.