Salahuddin Kazol, Jibannagar (Chuadanga)
Academic activities at Minajpur Government Primary School in Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga have long been disrupted by a severe shortage of classrooms. Due to inadequate classroom facilities, students are forced to attend classes under the open sky every day. Teachers, guardians and local residents have expressed concern as rain, scorching heat and adverse weather regularly disrupt lessons.
Established in 1968, the school’s old building was declared risky in 2021. It was subsequently removed through an auction in 2024, but construction of a new building has yet to begin. As a result, academic activities have continued under temporary arrangements for a long time.
The school currently has 210 students from Class I to Class V, but only two usable classrooms. Classes for two grades are held in the available rooms, while students of the other three grades have to attend lessons in the open school compound.
During the rainy season, classes have to be suspended and students moved to safer places whenever it starts raining. Lessons are also disrupted by scorching heat and storms, which, according to those concerned, are having a negative impact on the students’ education.
Headteacher Nasima Khatun said applications had been submitted to the relevant authorities several times for construction of a new building, but no visible initiative had been taken so far. She said the classroom shortage was affecting the school’s learning environment. The school once had around 350 students, but the number has now fallen to 210.
Jibannagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sumaiya Sultana Annie said an allocation had been sought in the current fiscal year for construction of a new school building. Until construction begins, an initiative will be taken to build a temporary tin-shed structure to protect students from storms, rain and sunlight.
Local guardians and concerned citizens have called for the construction of a new school building to begin quickly to ensure a safe and quality learning environment. They urged the authorities to intervene urgently, warning that the prolonged crisis could further disrupt students’ education. #EK
