Sylhet Bureau :
Students of almost 200 primary schools are at high risk from building collapse, as cracks appear on the worn-out school buildings in Habiganj.
Around 200_among 1,052_primary schools in eight upazilas have already been announced as hazardous and may lead to serious disasters. Unavailability of alternative space are forcing students to continue classes in the dilapidated buildings.
A dire situation was seen at Etbarpur Government Primary School. Two of its buildings were declared as hazardous five years ago, but classes still continue there. Several cracks have developed on the walls and the ceilings are crumbling, posing great risk to students and teachers.
Saranjit Bid, an assistant teacher of the school, said: ‘On rainy days classes are postponed and all of us have to gather in a single room, so as not to get drenched.’
Farid Mia, another teacher at the school, said: ‘We need to think about the students’ safety, and for that, classes get cancelled whenever there is a storm.’
Assistant Teacher Hasina Akhter added: ‘Risk-free lessons will be provided once the authorities construct a new building for us.’
Rubel Mia, a student, said: ‘We return home whenever there is a storm or rain. This way, our education is being hampered.’
Another student, Sabina Akhter, added: ‘Classes are regularly postponed or cancelled; a new building will increase the quality of our education.’
Rahima Akhter, a parent, said: ‘I live in fear after sending my kids to school, as the school buildings pose high risk.’
Ayesha Khanam, principal of Etbarpur Government Primary School, said: ‘Two among three of our buildings are hazardous. We cannot accommodate 300 students in one building, for which classes still continue in those (hazardous) buildings.
‘Not only the students, but the teachers are also at high risk.’
District Primary Education Officer Abdur Razzak said: ‘The ministry has been informed about reconstruction of these hazardous buildings. School managing committees and upazila education officers are asked to ensure regular classes, during storms and rainy days.
‘I am hopeful that the ministry will eventually reconstruct these buildings.’
Students of almost 200 primary schools are at high risk from building collapse, as cracks appear on the worn-out school buildings in Habiganj.
Around 200_among 1,052_primary schools in eight upazilas have already been announced as hazardous and may lead to serious disasters. Unavailability of alternative space are forcing students to continue classes in the dilapidated buildings.
A dire situation was seen at Etbarpur Government Primary School. Two of its buildings were declared as hazardous five years ago, but classes still continue there. Several cracks have developed on the walls and the ceilings are crumbling, posing great risk to students and teachers.
Saranjit Bid, an assistant teacher of the school, said: ‘On rainy days classes are postponed and all of us have to gather in a single room, so as not to get drenched.’
Farid Mia, another teacher at the school, said: ‘We need to think about the students’ safety, and for that, classes get cancelled whenever there is a storm.’
Assistant Teacher Hasina Akhter added: ‘Risk-free lessons will be provided once the authorities construct a new building for us.’
Rubel Mia, a student, said: ‘We return home whenever there is a storm or rain. This way, our education is being hampered.’
Another student, Sabina Akhter, added: ‘Classes are regularly postponed or cancelled; a new building will increase the quality of our education.’
Rahima Akhter, a parent, said: ‘I live in fear after sending my kids to school, as the school buildings pose high risk.’
Ayesha Khanam, principal of Etbarpur Government Primary School, said: ‘Two among three of our buildings are hazardous. We cannot accommodate 300 students in one building, for which classes still continue in those (hazardous) buildings.
‘Not only the students, but the teachers are also at high risk.’
District Primary Education Officer Abdur Razzak said: ‘The ministry has been informed about reconstruction of these hazardous buildings. School managing committees and upazila education officers are asked to ensure regular classes, during storms and rainy days.
‘I am hopeful that the ministry will eventually reconstruct these buildings.’
