Headmaster, teacher, clerk -- all in one
In Char Kajal union of Patuakhali stands Uttar Chhota Char Kajal Government Primary School. This is the only school in this remote area, where some 120 students are currently enrolled.
However, only one teacher is posted at the institution, meaning academic activities at this place is irregular, hampering the studying of these village children.
Indrajeet Sheel, the only teacher of the school, has to play the role of headmaster and clerk all by himself, while taking classes on various subjects.
Visiting the school, it was seen that the teacher provides lessons for some 40 students of pre-primary, first, second and third grade simultaneously in the morning shift, and teaches some 80 students in third, fourth and fifth shift at a time in the afternoon.
Mihad Khalifa, a first grader, said students of several classes are placed together in a single room often, which makes it difficult for them to understand the lessons.
Other students echoed the same.
Shilpi Begum, a guardian, said, "My son Omar Faruq is studying in the third grade. His education took a huge toll during the pandemic. Now there is a teacher crisis in his school, We don't even have any other place to send our kids to study."
Indrajeet said he joined this school from North Bara Char Kajal Government Primary School of the same union on March 15. He will retire on April 30, 2023.
"Before I joined, another teacher named Md Sohel got transferred after teaching in this school for almost a year alone. Also, the school is supposed to have four posts for teachers, including the headteacher, but these posts are yet to be filled," he said.
Sabbir Ahmed, president of the school management committee, said, "Teachers don't want to teach here because it's a remote area. We have written to the authorities several times about the teacher crisis, but it has not been resolved."
Galachipa upazila primary education officer Rezaul Islam said the school was established in 2013. There has been a teacher crisis ever since. "We are trying to recruit more teachers as soon as possible," he added.
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