Dhaleswari engulfs part of school in Manikganj
Baliakhora High School in Ghior upazila of Manikganj district faces threat of extinction by the Dhaleswari River.Photo: STAR
Baliakhora Union High School at Pencharkanda village under Ghior upazila in Manikganj district is now under threat of erosion by Dhaleswari River. The teachers, students, guardians and locals have urged the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to save the 40-year-old school from erosion. Northern side of the school has already gone into the river. The school authorities made a bamboo fence to save a six-room building but it is threatened by river waves. During this correspondent's recent visit to the erosion-hit school at Pencharkanda village, the students, guardians, teachers and local people expressed concern about the very existence of the school in the face of erosion. "This is the only high school within five-kilometre area. It would be tough to continue my study if the school building is eroded," said Subarna Rahman, a student of Class-IX. A few other students echoed the same. The acting headmaster of the school, Md Abdur Rahman said, "Around 700 boys and girls read at the school which was established in 1969. Our school did the best SSC result in Ghior upazila this year. But it is now under threat of erosion. We made a bamboo fence but it is also being damaged by the current of Dhaleswari River." "We wrote to the authorities concerned including local MP, director general of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, Dhaka, UNO and Water Development Board to take necessary steps to save the school," he added. School managing committee Chairman Habibur Rahman, also the vice chairman of Ghior Upazila Parisad, said, "The Water Development Board can easily take a project to save the school." A newly built Tk 3 crore bridge, Pencharkanda Non-Government Primary School and Pencharkanda Bazar are also under threat of erosion by the river, he said. When contacted, Ghior Upazila Nirbahi Officer Raja Mohammad Abdul Hye said he visited the area and is trying to take steps for building a permanent embankment to save the school. Manikganj Deputy Commissioner Munshi Sahabuddin Ahmed said he will take necessary steps after discussion with the UNO. Local lawmaker Anwarul Haque said it will take time to build a permanent dyke or embankment.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments