Studies hampered at Gulshan school

The gate of Gulshan Model School and College, which is just yards away from the BNP chairperson's office, is closed even though the school remains open. Pupils have not been allowed to move past the barricades put up by police in front of the BNP chief's office. This is badly affecting their studies. Photo: Sk Enamul Haq

Law enforcers' continued siege of BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office is adversely affecting educational activities of around 2,000 students of a school in the neighbourhood.

Students of Gulshan Model School and College, which stands opposite Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office on road no. 86, on Monday were not allowed to move past          barricades put up by law enforcers  in front of the BNP Chairperson's office.

Those who attempted to attend classes on the following days were met with the same fate. This incident has caused panic among the students and their parents.

"It's a panicky situation prevailing here for the last few days. A huge number of police are standing guard there as if a battle will soon begin. How would I send my child to school amid this situation?" said a mother preferring anonymity who came to pay her son's school admission fees yesterday.

Her son, who has been promoted to class-VII, said: "Seeing so many policemen around the school we feel scared to attend classes."

Established in 1972, the non-government institution that enjoys the government's monthly pay order facilities has 1,500 students at school level and 500 at college   level.

During a visit to the school yesterday, all classrooms were found empty. Only a handful of students came by for admission, but they had to show their admission papers before being allowed on the school road.

A model test of class-X was held but only 45 out of 176 students took the test, said teachers.

Ali Ashraf, principal of the institution, said they communicated with police officials and requested them to ensure students' entry to the school but no action was taken as yet.

"If this situation continues, students' studies will be irreparably hampered," he said.

However, Firoz Kabir, officer-in-charge of Gulshan Thana (Investigation), denied the allegations. He said whoever identified himself as a student or a teacher of the school was allowed to pass.