Dilapidated school buildings

Students attend classes amid risk of life

The small tin-shed building of Panchpara Government Primary School in Sadar upazila is in a dilapidated condition. Most of its beams, columns and walls have developed cracks and the plaster is peeling off. In the rainy season, water enters the classrooms. Iron rods within the concrete have become exposed and are rusting.

The vulnerable building may crumble any time. Every time the teachers and students enter the building, they put their lives at risk.

But the authorities concerned have not taken any initiative to repair or reconstruct the school building.

“We’ve informed the authorities about the bad shape of the school building, but to no avail . The school is situated by the Pirojpur-Gopalganj regional road, adjacent to a poultry farm and poultry feed shop of the local Panchpara bazaar. As a result, a foul smell pervades the school building, often making students feel sick,” said a teacher.

The primary school was established in 1965. The tin-shed building was constructed in 1987 at a cost of Tk 6 lakhs.

The building began to show signs of decay in the absence of maintenance. Since 1987, the school has faced various problems because of the building’s deteriorating condition.

Students said rainwater drops from the tin-roof even after a slight shower and it becomes difficult to use the classrooms.

A guardian, Md Qayum, said: “I am afraid of sending children to the school.”

Sanjay Kumar Malangi, headmaster of the school, said: “The school building may collapse any time and a massive incident may occur. A large number of students do not want to come to the school as they are afraid of this vulnerable building.”

He also said the school currently has four teachers, including the headmaster, and 126 students.

Habibur Rahman Sheik, president of the school managing committee, said the school building has become vulnerable.

He also said that guardians, teachers and locals have long been demanding the construction of a new school building.

Our Noakhali correspondent adds: Most students of Char Krinsna Adsha Government Primary School in Sonagazi upazila of Feni district have been taking lessons and writing exams under the open sky.  This is hampering the educational activities of the school.

Many of the students are dropping out as they do not want to learn their lessons in the open. Many of the teachers also remain absent due to the same reason.

According to sources, the school was established beside the Feni Chotta River in 1994. It was nationalised in 2013.

The tin-shed school building was washed away by tidal surges and heavy rains immediately after its establishment.

Later, the authorities concerned built a three-room building for the school. But the number of students have increased since then, causing a shortage of classrooms. The upazila administration visit the school last year and ensured that necessary steps would be taken in this regard.

But neither the school building has been repaired nor the number of classrooms increased.

On a recent visit to the school, this correspondent saw some students writing their exams under the open sky and some taking lessons at the corridor.

Owing the paucity of classrooms, many students cannot complete their lessons. The teachers are worried about the upcoming rainy season as they cannot accommodate all the students inside the school building in case of heavy showers.

Sheik Faid, headmaster of the school, said the teachers do not have their own room and have to sit on the sand during their free time.

Romana Akther, a Class V student, said: “Last year, our books were damaged by rain and water seeping in through the roof.”

The president of the school’s managing committee told The Independent that the roof of the school building has been badly damaged by the elements. “We need a new building for properly running the school,” he said.

Upazila education officer Anjumera said: “On a recent visit, I have seen the pathetic condition of the school building. I have already written to the higher authorities for a new building.”

Our Tangail correspondent adds: Students of Jungipur Rulipara High School are forced to take lessons in the open after the concrete school building was gobbled up by the Jamuna River. The school is situated on the ‘char’ of Gabshara union parisad under Bhuapur upazila.

This, however, is only one among many schools that have been bearing the brunt of floods and the rainy season. Most schools in char areas remain closed for at least three months during monsoon as students and teachers find it difficult to reach the educational institutions. Many schools go under floodwaters during the rains. Schooling of children in char areas in the Jamuna basin are suffering badly due to a shortage of schools and infrastructural facilities. Poor inhabitants of such remote areas often have to struggle against adverse conditions and walk long distances to reach the mainland. In the rainy season, they depend on country boats for movement, but many of them cannot afford even afford such transport.

There are allegations that many school teachers hold classes only once or twice a week, as they stay quite a long way off from their workplaces. These teachers engage local young men as ‘proxy teachers’ for a small pay. Under such adverse conditions, the schools in the char areas see high dropout rates.

Abdul Majid, headmaster of Jungipur Rulipara High School, said his school has about 400 students. The school’s field and buildings have been devoured by the Jamuna river and thus the students are taking lessons in the open, he added.

Classes VI, VII and IX are being held in a bamboo hut. Classes VIII and X are being held under the open sky.

“Most of the children work as domestic help. They often need to help their fathers in agriculture work, fishing or collecting floating firewood from the river. As a result, they lose interest in attending classes amid inconvenience,” said the headmaster.

The students now leave the school every time it rains or storms strike. In fair weather, they have to attend the classes under a blazing sun. The academic activities of the school are being hampered greatly for want of class rooms.

 

Dilapidated school buildings

Students attend classes amid risk of life

The small tin-shed building of Panchpara Government Primary School in Sadar upazila is in a dilapidated condition. Most of its beams, columns and walls have developed cracks and the plaster is peeling off. In the rainy season, water enters the classrooms. Iron rods within the concrete have become exposed and are rusting. The vulnerable building may crumble any time. Every time the teachers and students enter the building, they put their lives at risk. But the authorities concerned have not taken any initiative to repair or reconstruct the school building. Weve informed the authorities about the bad shape of the school building, but to no avail . The school is situated by the Pirojpur-Gopalganj regional road, adjacent to a poultry farm and poultry feed shop of the local Panchpara bazaar. As a result, a foul smell pervades the school building, often making students feel sick, said a teacher. The primary school was established in 1965. The tin-shed building was constructed in 1987 at a cost of Tk 6 lakhs. The building began to show signs of decay in the absence of maintenance. Since 1987, the school has faced various problems because of the buildings deteriorating condition. Students said rainwater drops from the tin-roof even after a slight shower and it becomes difficult to use the classrooms. A guardian, Md Qayum, said: I am afraid of sending children to the school. Sanjay Kumar Malangi, headmaster of the school, said: The school building may collapse any time and a massive incident may occur. A large number of students do not want to come to the school as they are afraid of this vulnerable building. He also said the school currently has four teachers, including the headmaster, and 126 students. Habibur Rahman Sheik, president of the school managing committee, said the school building has become vulnerable. He also said that guardians, teachers and locals have long been demanding the construction of a new school building. Our Noakhali correspondent adds: Most students of Char Krinsna Adsha Government Primary School in Sonagazi upazila of Feni district have been taking lessons and writing exams under the open sky. This is hampering the educational activities of the school. Many of the students are dropping out as they do not want to learn their lessons in the open. Many of the teachers also remain absent due to the same reason. According to sources, the school was established beside the Feni Chotta River in 1994. It was nationalised in 2013. The tin-shed school building was washed away by tidal surges and heavy rains immediately after its establishment. Later, the authorities concerned built a three-room building for the school. But the number of students have increased since then, causing a shortage of classrooms. The upazila administration visit the school last year and ensured that necessary steps would be taken in this regard. But neither the school building has been repaired nor the number of classrooms increased. On a recent visit to the school, this correspondent saw some students writing their exams under the open sky and some taking lessons at the corridor. Owing the paucity of classrooms, many students cannot complete their lessons. The teachers are worried about the upcoming rainy season as they cannot accommodate all the students inside the school building in case of heavy showers. Sheik Faid, headmaster of the school, said the teachers do not have their own room and have to sit on the sand during their free time. Romana Akther, a Class V student, said: Last year, our books were damaged by rain and water seeping in through the roof. The president of the schools managing committee told The Independent that the roof of the school building has been badly damaged by the elements. We need a new building for properly running the school, he said. Upazila education officer Anjumera said: On a recent visit, I have seen the pathetic condition of the school building. I have already written to the higher authorities for a new building. Our Tangail correspondent adds: Students of Jungipur Rulipara High School are forced to take lessons in the open after the concrete school building was gobbled up by the Jamuna River. The school is situated on the char of Gabshara union parisad under Bhuapur upazila. This, however, is only one among many schools that have been bearing the brunt of floods and the rainy season. Most schools in char areas remain closed for at least three months during monsoon as students and teachers find it difficult to reach the educational institutions. Many schools go under floodwaters during the rains. Schooling of children in char areas in the Jamuna basin are suffering badly due to a shortage of schools and infrastructural facilities. Poor inhabitants of such remote areas often have to struggle against adverse conditions and walk long distances to reach the mainland. In the rainy season, they depend on country boats for movement, but many of them cannot afford even afford such transport. There are allegations that many school teachers hold classes only once or twice a week, as they stay quite a long way off from their workplaces. These teachers engage local young men as proxy teachers for a small pay. Under such adverse conditions, the schools in the char areas see high dropout rates. Abdul Majid, headmaster of Jungipur Rulipara High School, said his school has about 400 students. The schools field and buildings have been devoured by the Jamuna river and thus the students are taking lessons in the open, he added. Classes VI, VII and IX are being held in a bamboo hut. Classes VIII and X are being held under the open sky. Most of the children work as domestic help. They often need to help their fathers in agriculture work, fishing or collecting floating firewood from the river. As a result, they lose interest in attending classes amid inconvenience, said the headmaster. The students now leave the school every time it rains or storms strike. In fair weather, they have to attend the classes under a blazing sun. The academic activities of the school are being hampered greatly for want of class rooms.