Shielded only by a makeshift tarpaulin sheet stretched under the open sky, the children of Boithakhali Government Primary School are learning what it means to study in fear.
The sole building of the institution in Atrai upazila of Naogaon has turned into a perilous hazard, severely disrupting regular academic activities and forcing lessons out into the school field.
Plagued by an acute classroom shortage, these young students must now endure the elements, braving the scorching sun and sudden rains, simply to keep their education alive.
According to the school’s teachers, the institution was established in 1962, and its current four-room building was constructed in 1994. The school currently serves 145 students, five teachers, and three staff members.
The building has been in a hazardous state for a long time, with lime-and-mortar plaster frequently peeling off the ceiling and falling onto teachers and students.
The looming danger turned into a harsh reality on 23 June when, during class, plaster and concrete from the lower part of a beam broke off and crashed down, injuring two students.
Following this incident, the authorities officially declared the building risky and abandoned.
A visit to the school grounds reveals a grim picture – plaster has peeled off in many places, portions of the walls have collapsed to expose rusting reinforcement rods, and deep cracks have snaked across the structure.
Even though the building has been declared abandoned, teachers are still forced to carry out their administrative and office tasks inside the hazardous structure.
Just a short distance away, classes run under the makeshift tarpaulin canopy, while parents and students desperately demand immediate steps for the construction of a new building.
“The walls inside the school break into pieces and fall down frequently,” said Samiul Islam, a student of Class IV.
“A few days ago, plaster and concrete fell during class, injuring two of my classmates. Since then, everyone has been terrified of going inside the school building. That is why, despite all the hardship, we are having to attend classes outside.”
Another student, Robin, said, “Because of the danger inside, our teachers have put up a tarpaulin to take classes outside. It is very painful for us. We sweat profusely in the intense heat of the sun, and when it rains, our books and notebooks get wet. We want a new building to be built quickly.”
For parent Khalilur Rahman, watching the children study under such conditions is agonising. “The children have to attend classes under the tarpaulin, braving both the scorching sun and the pouring rain,” he said.
“It not only causes them great suffering but also severely hampers their education. We want immediate arrangements for a new school building so that a normal learning environment can be ensured for our children.”
Amrita Kumar Sarkar, the headmaster of the school, explains that the building had been in a hazardous condition for a long time. “Recently, during class hours, a portion of the lower part of a beam collapsed, leaving two students seriously injured,” he said.
“We conducted classes on the veranda and under the open sky for a few days before erecting this tarpaulin canopy in the field, following instructions from higher authorities. The upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) has assured us of constructing a few tin-shed classrooms until a permanent building is constructed.”
Upazila Primary Education Officer Mazharul Islam mentioned that instructions were issued to suspend all academic activities inside the risky building. He added that an application has already been sent to the development branch of the Directorate of Primary Education to construct a new building.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Moniruzzaman said, “Initially, we have taken an initiative to construct temporary classrooms with tin sheets. Alongside this, necessary steps will be taken to build a new building for the school.”
