Students attend classes under open sky

Students of Shahbajpur-Kacharipara Government Primary school in Sadar upazila of the district have been attending classes under the open sky for over a month as the schoolhouse, damaged by a storm on April 4, is yet to be repaired.

The school, made by corrugated iron sheets and bamboo pillars in 1994, received registered school status in 2013.

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Only 60-70 students out of 177 attend classes, said Mahmuda Jahan, head teacher of the school. The reason for low attendance is mainly rain and the fear of storms. Besides, many students have joined their parents in farming activities, she added.

Schoolhouse collapsed during a nor'wester on April 4. Photo: Star

No measures have been taken yet by either the district administration or the District Primary Education Office (DPEO) to rebuild the school, though the authorities concerned were informed immediately after the collapse of the schoolhouse, the head teacher said, adding that no one from DPEO or the Sadar upazila education office had visited the spot as of yesterday.

Contacted, Md Abdur Razzak, assistant district primary education officer, said the higher authorities have allocated Tk 1.58 lakh for setting up a temporary structure. "We will be able to finish the job by June 30," he added.