Strong currents caused by fluctuations in river water levels wash away riverbanks and char areas, putting hundreds of government and private educational institutions and other structures at risk in Gaibandha.
The Bhorer Pakhi Government Primary School in Sundarganj, Gaibandha, could not be saved from the devastating effects of river erosion. As no effective measures were taken to prevent the erosion, the school is now being relocated elsewhere.
The lack of action has sparked concern and anger among students, teachers and guardians.
Locals said the school is the only educational institution for residents of the char area. As nearby areas were damaged by river erosion, they had been demanding urgent steps for a long time to protect the school.
Following their appeals, the UP chairman, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), Water Development Board officials and the deputy commissioner, among others, visited the affected areas and assured them of prompt action. However, no visible measures were taken in reality.
Most recently, on 8 August, when Water Resources State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad visited the affected area, locals hoped that effective steps would finally be taken to save the school. However, that hope eventually turned into disappointment.
As it is no longer possible to protect the school from river erosion, it is now being relocated to another place.
Local resident Kamal Hossain said if measures had been taken during the dry season to prevent erosion, the school would not have faced such a fate today.
Kapasia Union BNP Convener Md Jamal Uddin said the UNO, Water Development Board officials and the deputy commissioner had visited the affected area. They had also assured locals that swift measures would be taken to prevent further damage.
In particular, they had promised to take immediate steps to save Bhorer Pakhi Government Primary School, the only educational institution for char residents.
“Sadly, no visible action has been taken so far to save the school. If effective steps had been taken in time, we would not have had to witness this painful situation today,” he said.
The school’s Head Teacher Md Saiful Islam said, “Classes were held at the school even yesterday. I learnt about the situation early in the morning today and immediately informed the assistant education officer. He came here.
After consultation, we hired 14 labourers, who are now moving the school’s belongings to a safe place. However, one fence and three windows have already fallen into the river.”
The head teacher further said, “The minister, MP, Water Development Board officials, deputy commissioner and UNO all visited the site. We received only assurances.
Not even a single geo-bag was placed in the school area. Had they done so, perhaps we would not have had to witness this terrible situation today.”
Upazila Assistant Primary Education Officer Mukul Chandra Barman said, “Since the beginning of the river erosion, we have informed the relevant departments whenever incidents occurred. They did not take any effective measures. That is why the situation has reached this alarming stage.”
Repeated attempts to contact the upazila primary education officer over the phone were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls.
UNO Iffat Jahan Tuli said, “Fresh erosion has started again. I have heard about the situation. The institution was instructed to be relocated to another place. No one can control river erosion, but we will look into whether there was any negligence on the part of the Water Development Board.”
Executive Engineer of the Gaibandha Water Development Board Md Shariful Islam said, “We have instructed officials to take measures as soon as we received the news. Hopefully, the work of placing geo-bags will begin by today.”
