Decrepit school building risky for students, teachers
Study hampered as they are too panicked to give attention
Students of Naldanga Bhushan Pilot High School in Kaliganj in Jhenidah attend classes amid fear as chunks of plaster often fall off the ceiling that has developed several cracks. Photo: STAR
Students and teachers of renowned Naldanga Bhusan Pilot High School at Kaliganj upazila town in Jhenidah district are under risk of accident as several cracks have developed on the roof of the worn-out building. As many as 1507 students, who will take part in this year's SSC examinations (starting today) from the school centre, also remain vulnerable. The present two-storied building of the 128-year-old school was built in 1963. It is now in a dilapidated condition as substandard materials were allegedly used during its construction. Cracks have developed in the roof covering 18 classrooms, plasters have fallen off at places and the exposed rods have rusted. Established in 1882 at Naldanga Rajbari by zamindar Indu Bhushan Dev Roy, the institution was upgraded to a high school in 1882 under the initiative of his son Raja Bahadur Promoth Bhushan Dev Roy. The school was later shifted to Kaliganj town in Jhenidah. Students and teachers remain in panic during classes as chunks of plaster often fall off the ceiling. "A few days ago, I was hurt as a lump of plaster fell on my shoulder," said Rajib, a student of Class Nine of the school. Another Class Nine student Emon was also injured in the same way. Several students said they pass their class hours amid worry as the roof is in a bad condition. The old building has become risky but no step has been taken to shift the classes to a safe place, said a few teachers. "The roof was made without proper netting and the covering under the rods was inadequate. Consequently, the rods have rusted and the roof has become vulnerable to collapse any time," said civil engineer Jafrul Islam, a teacher of vocational training at Naldanga Bhushan Pilot High School. School Headmaster Rezaul Haq said he has informed the chairman of managing committee of the matter.
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