Impact of Flood: No classes in 30 schools in Kushtia

Thirty educational institutions in Kushtia's Daulatpur are yet to open as these are submerged by floodwater.

Of them, 25 are government primary schools, four secondary schools and one is a madrasa, according to the district secondary and primary education offices.

Saiful Islam, assistant primary education officer of Daulatpur upazila, said 30 schools in Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur unions have been waterlogged for a month. The unions are situated in the remote Padma char.

If the floodwater recedes and the situation becomes normal, classes will begin at the educational institutions soon, he said.

However, teachers have been regularly present in the institutions, he said.

Meanwhile, Sardar Abu Salek, secondary education officer of Daulatpur upazila, said four secondary-level schools have yet to be reopened due to waterlogging.

However, the schools will be opened soon and classes and examinations will be held following the usual hygiene rules, he said.

This correspondent talked to a local public representative and guardians over phone about reopening of Ramkrishnapur-1 Government Primary School.

Shariful Islam, a guardian of Thotarpara village of Ramkrishnapur union, said this happens every year in the rainy season as the area is low.

"We have heard the news of opening the school, but it is risky to send the kids to the school," he said.

He said it takes around 2km boat ride to reach the school as floodwater is all around.

Mazeda Khatun, a teacher of the school, said they were waiting for kids, but it was impossible for the kids to reach the school as roads and school are inundated.

Syed Ahmed, chairman of Ramkrishnapur Union Parishad, said he was aware of the problem.

According to him, it may take 10 to 15 more days for the floodwater to recede.

Sharmin Akter, Daulatpur upazila nirbahi officer, told The Daily Star, "We have informed the higher authority of the matter. We have to wait for at least two weeks."