Slight rain causes water leak, roof blocked with bamboo : Children attending classes in fear in Birganj primary school
Mahidul Islam Ripon, Dinajpur
Plaster has fallen from the ceiling of the classroom, creating large cracks. Water starts seeping into the classroom through these large cracks even when it rains a little. The fallen plaster-cracked beams-pillars have been blocked with bamboo poles. When it rains, water seeps into the classroom. In such a risky building, 126 students of Dakshin Palatpur Government Primary School No. 24 in Birganj Upazila of Dinajpur are taught daily.
The school has been operating in a dilapidated building for a long time. Teachers, students, and parents are in fear of accidents. Although the building has been declared risky, there is no alternative classroom, so the school is forced to continue teaching there.
According to school sources, the building built in the 1993-94 fiscal year has three classrooms. Of these, two have large cracks in the roof. Various parts of the building have been propped up with about 20 bamboo poles. The condition of the office rooms for teachers and staff is also poor. The school has five teachers, including the headmaster, and one office assistant.
On the spot, it can be seen that there are large cracks in the roof and beam-pillars of the building. Plaster is falling from various places. Bamboo poles have been placed under the roof to block the view. Students are panicking while sitting in the classrooms and taking lessons. When it rains, the roof leaks and water falls, disrupting teaching.
Naeem, a second-grade student, says, "My parents don't want to let me come to this school. Because the plaster on the school's roof is collapsing. Everyone is afraid to come. Still, we love studying, so we come to school."
A fourth-grade student says, "The condition of our school is very bad. My parents don't want me to come to school. Still, I come to study. That's why I always study in fear. Let's quickly build classrooms for our school."
Assistant teacher Harunur Rashid said, "The school building is very dilapidated and risky. Teachers and students are all in a state of panic due to the fear of the building collapsing. Many parents are afraid to send their children to school, thinking about the safety of the students. This is reducing the number of students and disrupting normal educational activities. It is important to take effective initiatives to quickly renovate, reconstruct or construct a new building to ensure the safety of the students."
Assistant teacher Ms. Dulali Begum said, "The current condition of the building of Dakshin Palatpur School is very deplorable and risky. There is concern among teachers, students and parents about this. Earlier, more than a hundred students used to attend our school every day. Currently, not even a single student is present."
Headmaster, Ahsan Habib Labu said, "I have been applying for this school building since 2017. I have submitted the documents as requested by the authorities."
He said, "The current condition of the building is causing panic among teachers and students. It is necessary to urgently arrange alternative classrooms or construct a new building
Birganj Upazila Primary Education Officer Mosha Shahjida Haque said, "After inspecting the school on the ground, the risky condition of the building was found. A request for a new building has already been sent to the higher authorities."
