Discussants at a citizen’s dialogue have stressed constructing flood-resilient educational institutions in natural disaster-prone areas to ensure uninterrupted education for children. They made the observation at the dialogue on ”Flood affected children’s education in Nilphamari and way-out” held at Dimla upazila parishad auditorium in Nilphamari district on Wednesday, said a press release issued here by UNICEF’s local office today.

Dimla Upazila Education Office organized the dialogue followed by distribution of education inputs among 2,100 affected students of 14 flood-hit Government Primary Schools (GPSs) of the upazila with UNICEF assistance. Presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nazmun Nahar, education officials, public representatives, heads and affected students of the flood-affected GPSs, parents and community representatives attended the event.

In her welcome speech, Education Officer of UNICEF Sifat-E-Islam shared information about roles of UNICEF to minimize children’s sufferings to continue education during or after any natural disaster.

The recent flood affected 14 GPSs of Dimla upazila in Nilphamari alone interrupting education of around 2,100 children.

“During floods and other disasters, children become highly vulnerable due to water on school grounds, classrooms and connecting roads when they cannot go to schools and their education is interrupted,” Sifat added.

Rangpur and Rajshahi Divisional Chief of UNICEF Najibullah Hameem discussed endless distress of children during floods and urged for prioritizing children’s issue in disaster preparedness and response activities.

“UNICEF considers education support for children in emergency situation and is working with the government and NGOs for uplifting living standard of women and children by addressing their issues in disaster risk reduction,” Hameem added.

Rangpur Divisional Deputy Director of Primary Education Md. Abdul Wahab shared government initiatives to reduce school drop-outs to zero level and stop child marriage and post-flood steps taken for continuation of education of flood-hit children.

Dimla Upazila Chairman Tobibul Islam thanked UNICEF for standing with support beside flood-affected children.

Teachers, parents and local community people requested UNICEF, government and other development partners to continue development schemes and emergency supports to address child protection, risk reduction and uninterrupted education for children.

The UNO specially focused on alternative ways like rescheduling of class sessions and examinations before or after floods to reduce interruption in education.

Communication for Development Officer of UNICEF Monjur Ahmed, Nilphamari District Education Officer Osman Gani, Dimla Upazila Education Officer Shawpan Kumar Das also spoke.