Bamboo used in construction of Bandarban school causes social media uproar

Bamboo had been used in construction of a government primary school in remote Kurukpata area under Alikadom upazila of Bandarban.

Locals alleged that the contractor used bamboo along with iron rod in the drop wall of the Kurukpata Moitri Government Primary School building.

After photos of using bamboo in the construction work went viral on social media and created huge outcry, the authority of Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB), which floated the tender, demolished the drop walls.

"I rushed to the spot yesterday after hearing the allegation and found that bamboo was used in constructing the drop wall of the school building," Tridiv Kumar Tripura, sub assistant engineer of CHTDB, said.

"Immediately, we demolished the drop wall and scolded the contractor for using bamboo," the engineer said, adding that stern action will be taken against the contractor.

"We had informed the CHTDB authority several times that the contractor was using bamboo instead of iron rods. However, they didn't not pay heed to our allegation for long," said Abu Sama, headmaster (in-charge) of Kurukpata Moitri Government Primary School.

A total of 179 students -- most from the Mro community -- are studying at this school, which was nationalised in 2013, the headmaster said.

Md Jamal Uddin, who is constructing the building, admitted that they had used bamboo in a drop wall.

Jamal, who is the vice president of Alikadom upazila unit of Awami League and former union parishad chairman of Alikadom Sadar Union, confessed, saying, "It was my mistake."

It is really unfortunate that bamboo has been used in constructing a school building that poses huge risk to the students, said Krap Poong Mro, chairman of Kurukpata union.

"We strongly protest this," said the chairman adding this is the only government school in Kurukpata union.