Students suffer for water-logged school field at Bauphal

BAUPHAL, PATUAKHALI, July 29: Hundreds of students at Rajapur Secondary School in Bauphal  Upazila of Patuakhali have been deprived of sports and other co-curricular activities as the school's playground has remained waterlogged for a prolonged period.

According to school authorities, even light rainfall leaves the field inundated due to the lack of an adequate drainage system. The stagnant water, coupled with overgrown weeds, has turned the playground into a marsh, making it unusable for games, physical education and school assemblies.

Students said they are unable to use the field even during tiffin breaks. "We have not been able to play for a long time because the field remains submerged," said eighth-grader Md Sayem Farazi.

Another student, Saimun Hossain of Class IX, said the situation worsens during the monsoon as the field remains covered with water and weeds.
Parents also expressed concern, saying the lack of a playground is pushing children towards excessive use of mobile phones and other digital devices, affecting their physical and mental development.

Physical education teacher Md Ashraful Islam Khan said sports are essential for students' overall development, but the waterlogged field has made it impossible to conduct physical education classes and other activities.

Headmaster Md Zakir Hossain said the matter had been reported to the authorities, seeking measures to improve drainage and renovate the field.
Students, parents, teachers and former students have demanded urgent renovation of the playground, installation of a permanent drainage system and construction of a boundary wall.

Bauphal  Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Saleh Ahmed said he would visit the school and take steps to resolve the problem as soon as possible.