Poor drainage leaves Kamalganj school field waterlogged

KAMALGANJ, MOULVIBAZAR, July 25: Even a brief spell of rain leaves the playground of Kamalganj Upazila Parishad Kindergarten School submerged, forcing students to wade through knee-deep water to attend classes and depriving them of sports and other outdoor activities.

Teachers, students and guardians say the school field has remained waterlogged for years due to the lack of an effective drainage system, causing persistent hardship during the monsoon.

A visit to the school found stagnant rainwater covering most of the playground. In some places, the water reached knee level, while muddy conditions made it difficult and risky for children to walk.

Many students were seen carrying their shoes in their hands and walking barefoot through the water, while others slipped in the mud on their way to classrooms.

The school, located inside the Kamalganj Upazila Parishad complex beside the central Shaheed Minar, has a playground that lies several feet lower than the surrounding roads and buildings. As a result, rainwater from nearby areas flows into the field and remains trapped because there is no proper drainage outlet.

Teachers said the problem is not limited to heavy rainfall.

"Even light rain leaves the field under water. As a result, students cannot take part in sports, physical exercise or co-curricular activities and have to remain confined to classrooms," they said.

Several students said they often have to walk through knee-deep water to reach school during the rainy season.

"Sometimes we slip in the mud and our uniforms get dirty," one student said, urging authorities to fill the low-lying field and make it usable.

Guardians said ensuring a safe school environment is the responsibility of the authorities.

They expressed concern that prolonged water-logging not only causes inconvenience but also poses health risks to young children by creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes and increasing the likelihood of waterborne diseases.

They also said rotting grass and weeds in the stagnant water produce a foul smell that affects the classroom environment.

Local residents said the problem has persisted for many years without any lasting solution.

They urged the authorities not only to fill the field with soil but also to raise its level, build a planned drainage system and ensure regular maintenance to prevent future waterlogging.

Assistant teacher Chhobi Mia said the foul smell from the stagnant water often makes it difficult for students to concentrate in class.

Head teacher HM Khaledur Rahman said students have been the worst sufferers as they are unable to play regularly due to the waterlogged field.

"We hope the authorities will take prompt steps to resolve the problem permanently," he said.