Md. Mosabbir Ali , Kulaura, Moulvibazar :About 2600 students in Moulvibazar Sadar upazila are attending classes in 12 school buildings that were identified as risky, amid fears that they may collapse anytime with potentially catastrophic consequences. Several students and teachers have expressed apprehension about having to attend or take classes in the risky buildings and the percentage of school-going children has reportedly dropped because of this safety concern. Sources at the Moulvibazar Sadar primary education centre said, there are a total of 189 primary schools in the upazila of which 167 are government, 22 registered and one community-based. Of these schools, 12 buildings in different neighborhoods of the upazila are in dilapidated condition, and have been declared “risky” by the Upazila Engineering Directorate. The schools are: Goyghor Vughbol , Sujopasa, Doskahonia, Attghor, Kandigaon, Nij Bahadurpur, Sheed Jia, Lamakagabola, Gobindosree, Mitharay, Podunapur, Donasree Government Primary School. In addition, there are some other deserted buildings that have become too derelict to use. Sources said, some of the marked buildings were built before the country’s independence and some after, and all gradually fell into disrepair with time. None of them is known to have ever been renovated. During a visit to several risky schools of Mitharay and Donasree, cracks were found in the ceilings, pillars and wall. Plastering is coming apart and water drips down the floors every time there is rain outside. Neither the government nor school authorities have taken any initiative to renovate the schools or provide safer facilities. At the Attghor, Primary School, aside from cracks in the ceilings, walls and pillars, large patches of rust were seen on the doors and windows which were caused by the lack of any maintenance work. Even during low rainfall, water seeps through the cracks and broken windowpanes creating a nuisance for everyone. The school, with 200 students on its rolls, has been identified as the riskiest on the list.Pijus Kanti Datto, headmaster of Lamakagabola Primary School, said, “The building of the school was very old. Its present condition is mainly due to the low-quality materials used by the construction company.””The building has become totally irreparable, and there is no alternative but to construct an altogether new one.”Commenting on the fall in students attending he said, “The percentage fell to a good extent. Some guardians are not feeling comfortable to send their kids, fearing fatal consequences.”While talking to the The Daily New Nation, Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila Primary Education Official Maruf Ahmed Chawdhury said, the list of the 12 risky school buildings has been sent to the Upazila Engineering Department . They will take necessary steps after visiting the buildings themselves. Three school buildings are high risky. Its are Sheed Jia, Goyghor Bojbhul and Attghor Primary school, it’s are very risky that’s why we stop this class.”
