A building of Brilahiribari Government Primary School in Faridpur upazila of Pabna is at risk of collapsing into an adjacent pond after soil beneath the structure eroded.
Although the building has remained in this condition for nearly four years, no steps have yet been taken for its repair, demolition or the arrangement of alternative classrooms.
Classes for 265 students are still being held in the risky building, putting their lives at risk.
Established in 1915, the school is located at BL Bari village of the upazila. The institution currently has 10 teachers and employees.
One of the school’s two single-storey buildings was constructed in 1995 through the Education Engineering Department. Built along the southern edge of a pond, the soil beneath the building has been eroding for several years. Teachers, students and local residents fear that a portion of the structure could collapse into the pond at any time.
Despite repeated applications submitted to the relevant authorities, no effective measures have been taken.
Two applications were also submitted during the previous government’s tenure. The then upazila chairman visited the school, but no action followed.
Currently, classes for nursery, Class III and Class V students are being held in the vulnerable building. Teachers said they are forced to continue using the building due to the lack of alternative classrooms.
A Class V student, Jannati Khatun, said, “We have to attend classes in that damaged building. We are always afraid that it may collapse at any moment. Can anyone study properly while living with such fear?”
Assistant teacher Reshma said, “During nursery classes, I move the children away from the risky section of the building. I am always worried about what would happen if the building suddenly collapses.”
Apart from the building’s structural risk, the school also lacks a boundary wall and an adequate playground. Even light rain causes waterlogging in the small field in front of the school, forcing students to cross the water to reach their classrooms.
Assistant teacher Md Al Mamun said, “The school has no boundary wall. Water accumulates even after a little rain. On top of that, there is the risk posed by the building. We are continuing classes despite all these problems.”
Headteacher Nasima Nasrin said the school authorities most recently submitted a written application to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) on 8 July, highlighting the dangerous condition of the building. However, no arrangements have yet been made for its repair, removal or alternative classrooms.
“We have applied to the appropriate authorities. We hope immediate steps will be taken considering the safety of the young students,” she said.
Faridpur Upazila Primary Education Officer KM Jahangir Hossain said the application had been forwarded to the UNO. “I hope action will be taken soon,” he said.
Faridpur UNO Umme Imama Banin said the upazila education office had informed her last year through an application about the need for soil filling and repair work at the school.
“However, we could not carry out the repair work last year due to a lack of allocation. This year, we have sought funds on a priority basis. We hope that once the allocation is received, repair and soil-filling work will be carried out at the school,” she said.
Local residents alleged that no new building has been constructed at the school since the existing one was built in 1995. The school, established 111 years ago, has remained in a vulnerable condition for a long time. They demanded that the risky building be repaired or removed immediately and that students be provided with a safe learning environment.
