Over 200 primary schools in Patuakhali in awful state
22 of them so risky that classes are held outside
The future of these kids of Chandukhali Government Primary School in Dumki upazila of Patuakhali has become uncertain as the Paira River may devour the instituation any time.Photo: STAR
Houses of 212 primary schools, out of a total 1074 in seven upazilas under the district, are in awful condition, much to the worry of teachers, students and guardians. Twenty-two of them have turned so risky that classes are held outside, under the open sky. There are 582 government primary schools, 462 registered primary schools and 30 community schools in the district, said sources at the District Primary Education Office. In Galachipa upazila, 32 government primary schools and 62 registered primary schools are in very bad shape, said Harun-Or-Rashid, upazila primary education officer. Of them, five government and three registered schools are highly vulnerable, he added. In Sutabaria school, students and teachers have to use bamboo-made ladders to go to the first floor as the stairs have broken down. Ichadi Board Government Primary School building gives a pitiable look as rods came out due to fall of plaster from the roof and walls. But teachers have continued conducting classes in the risky building as there is no alternative. In Dumki upazila, 12 government primary schools are in very bad shape. Chandukhali Government Primary School faces erosion by the Paira River, said Mollah Bakhtiar Uddin, assistant district education officer. Pangashia Fostafia Government Primary School has also remained vulnerable to river erosion. Tidal water from the nearby river enters classrooms during the high tide, forcing suspension of classes. Most of the time classes are held under the open sky as classrooms often remain muddy, said Anwar Hossain, headmaster of the school. Academic activities of Dakkhin Chandukhali Government Primary School and Patuakhali Government Primary School are greatly hampered as tidal water from nearby rivers enters there, said Sagorika Raha, assistant upazila education officer of Patuakhali Sadar. Fourteen government primary schools and as many registered primary schools in the upazila are in bad shape, she added. Conditions of Dakkhin-Pashchim Kalagachhia, Kismotpur Habibia and Shrinagor registered primary schools in Mirzaganj upazila are very bad, said Nurjahan, upazila education officer (UEO). "We have already asked the teachers of Dakkhin-Pashchim Kalagachhia Registered School to conduct classes at any other place or under the open sky as the building might collapse any time," she added. In Dashmina upazila, Dakkhin Chanpura Government Primary School has already been declared as unfit for use, said UEO Feroz Alam. Conditions of Uttar Adampura Government Primary School and Uttar Chanpura School are also bad, he said. Houses of Maithbhanga Al-Mamun Registered School, Syed Gazi Registered School and Dalbuganj Registered School in Kalapara upazila are vulnerable, said Md Ruhul Amin, UEO. In Baufal upazila, 74 primary school buildings need immediate repair, said UEO Md Lutfar Rahman. "We have already sent lists of the risky schools to the ministry concerned, urging them to take necessary step," said District Primary Education Officer Ataur Rahman.
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