With leaking roofs, falling plaster and flooded classrooms disrupting lessons, parents and teachers are demanding urgent action as authorities warn that rebuilding unsafe schools could take years.
At a time when the government is undertaking various projects to ensure quality primary education across Bangladesh, classes are being held in 250 severely dilapidated buildings among the 1,095 primary schools in the coastal district of Satkhira in southwestern Bangladesh.
The lives of nearly 1,500 teachers and staff and 36,000 young pupils at these educational institutions are at risk every day. Students are forced to continue their studies amid the serious danger posed by rusted tin roofs, deteriorating walls and falling ceiling plaster in these ageing buildings. Student enrolment at these institutions is gradually declining amid fears of possible fatalities.
The district primary education officer said a list of 250 schools with unsafe buildings has been sent to the ministry and construction of new buildings will begin soon.
Humayun Kabir, headteacher of Kultia Government Primary School in Satkhira Sadar, said the school was established in 1962 and its building was constructed in 2003. Over the past 23 years, the building has become severely dilapidated. Plaster has fallen from the ceiling and walls, exposing the brickwork. During the monsoon, rainwater accumulates on the school grounds, leaving the access road waterlogged.
He further said that despite achieving good results and securing scholarships every year, the school continues to lose pupils because of its numerous problems and safety risks. He strongly demanded the immediate construction of a new school building.
The situation at Dakshin Ghoshpara Government Primary School in Satkhira town is almost the same. However, because of the extremely high level of risk, the school has managed to continue operating after carrying out minor repairs using funds received during the previous election. Teachers and pupils at this school have also strongly demanded the immediate construction of a new building.
Shahajan Ali, headteacher of Kulpota Government Primary School in Sadar upazila, said the school was nationalised in 2013, but despite its long history, it has yet to see any development. The tin roofing and wooden frames of the building, located in a low-lying area, have completely deteriorated.
Meanwhile, due to a shortage of benches, pupils have to attend classes sitting on plastic stools. During rain or intense sunshine, conditions inside the classrooms become almost the same as outdoors, while the school remains completely submerged during the monsoon. On hot days, teachers are forced to conduct classes under trees. This is how educational activities are being carried out in at least 250 primary schools across the district.
During a visit, it was found that educational activities at Kultia school were continuing amid severe safety concerns, leaving teachers, pupils and parents worried throughout school hours. Difficulties caused by sunshine and rain have become part of daily life. Pupils at Kulpota school also expressed various concerns about the condition of the building and the difficulties they face because of the access road. At Ghoshpara Government Primary School in the town, those concerned believe that fears of ceiling plaster or fans falling are contributing to declining student attendance.
There are fears that a major incident involving loss of life could occur at any moment unless new buildings are constructed immediately for these 250 dilapidated and unsafe primary schools in Satkhira. Parents and concerned citizens therefore expect the government to construct the buildings as quickly as possible to protect the lives of young children and ease parental fears.
Satkhira District Primary Education Officer Ruhul Amin said a list of 250 unsafe schools out of the district’s 1,095 primary schools has been sent to the ministry. Nearly 1,500 teachers and 36,000 pupils at these schools are at risk. He expressed hope that new buildings would be constructed for these schools within the next two to three years.
He further said that the most dangerous buildings are being kept operational through minor repairs using limited funds from the government’s emergency fund, but these measures have not eliminated the safety risks.
