Stones, logs of contractor occupy school field

Stones kept by a contractor occupy a large portion of the field of Pashpatila Government Primary School in Kotchandpur upazila under Jhenidah district, badly disturbing co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of the young learners. PHOTO: STAR

Heaps of stones and logs have kept occupying most of the field in front of Pashpatila Government Primary School for long, much to the disturbance of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of the children.

Now 207 students are enrolled with the school that was established in 1923 on 86 decimals of land.

"Piling of stones and logs on the school ground by a local contractor hampers the movement of the students and teachers and disturbs smooth running of the school. We cannot even hold school assembly and arrange singing of the National Anthem regularly," said Radha Rani Bhattacharya, headmistress of the school.

"Our request to remove the items from the school ground has fallen on the deaf ears," she said.

Rocky Hossain, a student of Cass V, said their assembly is not held regularly and they cannot play on the school ground as stones and logs occupy it.

BBA student Arafat Hossain, also a resident of Pashpatila village, said earlier they took exercise and played football and cricket in the school field but it cannot be done due to keeping of stones and logs there.

Gazi Saiful Islam, Kotchandpur upazila education officer, said, "It is not acceptable that a contractor would create a situation that hampers any co-curricular activity. I will look into the matter and take step in this regard."

The contractor concerned, Hiru Mia could not be contacted despite several attempts as his mobile was switched off.