The only remaining student hostel of Government Debendra College in Manikganj has remained closed for nearly eight years, forcing thousands of students from distant and low-income families to rent messes or houses at additional costs.
The college, one of the largest educational institutions in the district with 25,911 students, once had two hostels to provide affordable accommodation. However, one was shut down in 2018 over allegations of political activities, outsiders’ presence, drug use and anti-social activities, while the other was demolished after a fire in 2009.
The Alimul Haque Hostel, built in 1991 on the western side of the college, had accommodation for 56 students in 14 rooms. Over time, more than 100 students reportedly started staying there, creating overcrowding and security concerns.
Following complaints of political disturbances, outsiders’ involvement, drug use and anti-social activities, the college authorities closed the hostel in October 2018.
The other facility, Manjurul Alam Hostel, was established in 1947 with two tin-roofed rooms behind the college building. It was destroyed in a fire on 2 March 2009 and later removed as it became unusable. No permanent replacement has been built in the past 17 years.
Established in 1942 on 23.79 acres of land, Government Debendra College currently offers higher secondary, degree, honours and postgraduate programmes. The college has 17 honours subjects and 14 postgraduate subjects, with 12,454 male and 13,457 female students.
Jafar Iqbal, assistant professor of the Department of Bangla, said many students from river erosion-prone and poverty-stricken areas of the district study at the college.
“If residential facilities were available, students from poor families would get the opportunity to continue their studies at a lower cost. It would also reduce their security concerns, travel time and difficulties,” he said.
Former general secretary of the college students’ union, Advocate Jinnah Khan, said the closure of the hostel had increased the financial burden on students coming from remote areas.
“Students now have to spend extra money to stay in messes or rented flats,” he said, demanding the reopening of Alimul Haque Hostel and construction of a new facility.
College Principal Professor Muhammad Mahfil Khan said the institution currently had almost no residential facilities for students.
“Alimul Haque Hall has capacity for only 56 students, but it has remained closed for several years. Due to the long closure, furniture, electrical wiring and other facilities have become unusable,” he said.
He added that the Education Engineering Department had prepared a budget for renovation work following his request and hoped repairs would begin soon.
