Classroom crunch forces Paikgachha students to study under tents

PAIKGACHHA, KHULNA, Aug 9:  A government primary school in Paikgachha Upazila of Khulna has been forced to hold classes under tents in the open due to a long-standing shortage of classrooms, leaving students to attend lessons in difficult conditions.

At Government Primary School No. 24 Motbati, teachers have been continuing classes despite rain, storms and other adverse weather.

The situation is disrupting students’ studies and causing considerable hardship.

Several students said rainwater often enters the tents, soaking their books and notebooks and forcing teachers to suspend classes.

“As a result, we often do not want to come to school during the rainy season,” they said.

Headteacher Sushama Rani Mondal said the school has around 300 students but only five classrooms.

“It is not possible to accommodate all classes in a single shift with only five classrooms. So, we have had to put up tents under the open roof of a new building and hold classes there,” she said.
She said the authorities had already been informed about the classroom shortage.

“If the necessary steps are taken soon, the students will be able to attend classes in a normal environment,” she added.

Parents have also expressed concern over the situation.

They said their children’s books and notebooks often become wet during rain, while exposure to adverse weather increases the risk of illness. As a result, many children are reluctant to attend school during the monsoon.

They urged the authorities to construct additional classrooms or expand the school’s infrastructure as soon as possible.

Locals said holding classes in such conditions at a government primary school could also affect the quality of education.

They called for immediate measures to ensure a safe and suitable learning environment for the students.

Sanjay Debnath, Acting Upazila Education Officer, said he had inspected the matter and informed the higher authorities.

“Efforts are being made to arrange at least one classroom temporarily,” he said.