Kaium Ahmed Jewel, Patuakhali Correspondent :A contractor has kept construction materials on the playground of a primary school in Galachipa upazila of the district, hampering sports and other physical activities of the students.Locals alleged that the contractor, Mahfuz Khan, owner of a construction firm M Khan Group, has been using the entire playground of Purbo Pardakua Government Primary School for six months to keep construction materials as the firm is building a bridge on the nearby Dakua canal. The students cannot play games during leisure time while school authorities cannot hold assembly before the start of classes every day.While visiting the school recently, this correspondent saw the playground have been filled with construction materials, including bricks, stones, sands and steel rods. He also found a brick crushing machine in the southern part of the field.Abdullah, a class four student, said the play ground has remained occupied by the contractor concerned for at least six months. “We cannot play games at the leisure time due to lack of space. When the diesel-run brick crushing machine goes on, it greatly hampers the academic activities, alleged teachers and guardians. Bela Rani Kundu, Headmistress of the school said, she repeatedly requested the contractor concerned and staff of his firm to remove the construction materials from school playground but to no effect. “I also informed the authorities concerned of the matter, butt no step has been taken yet,” she added.
