These were schools once

Fifteen community schools in Tangail's Basail upazila have remained locked for more than two decades. As activities in these schools are closed, weeds and bushes have taken over the buildings.

The abandoned school buildings are being used by locals as clubs and cattle sheds. Not only that, gambling goes on freely in these buildings, they alleged.

  According to the Education Office, community schools were built between 1995 and 1996 fiscal in the areas where there are no public or private schools.

The government took the initiative 25 years ago to boost primary education.

As part of the initiative, 36 community schools were established in different areas of Basail upazila. Of them, 21 schools were nationalised later.  

According to government rules, there was a provision to appoint locals as teachers for the schools. However, there was a lack of qualified teachers in the upazila's remote areas. Those who were appointed left teaching since the salary was low. Since then, these schools have become abandoned buildings, according to locals and officials.

Bijoy Kanti Chowdhury, land donor of Palpara Community School in Basail Sadar, said he had given land with a hope that there would be a school in their village where children would study. However, the hope went in vain as the school wasn't operational for long.

Sadanand Paul, upazila primary education officer in Basail, said they have enquired about the schools and held discussions with the higher authorities in this regard.

"The government has no decision to re-start the schools right now. However, necessary steps will be taken in case of further instructions by the authorities," he added.

Kazi Alid Islam, upazila parishad chairman in Basail, said when the Awami League government came to the power in 1996, community schools were established.  The local elites gave land to build the schools. However, after the change in the government, the future of these schools were left uncertain.

"Twenty one of the schools were made nationalised within 2010 after Awami League returned to power in 2008. The 15 others weren't since the schools soon became closed as the education programme couldn't be conducted properly," he said.

"We have taken initiative to restart seven out of the 15 schools and already sent their names to the education ministry," he added.