Dilapidated school bldg puts students at risk

PAIKGACHHA, KHULNA, Sept 11:  A school that was once a key source of education for the local community has now become a source of concern for its students, 54 years after its establishment.

Plaster has fallen off the walls of the building, exposing bricks and reinforcement rods in places. The old roof and structure have also weakened over the years. Water leaks through the roof during rain, yet around 200 students continue to attend classes in the dilapidated building every day, raising fears of a major accident.

This is the current state of Laskar Karulia Secondary School in Paikgachha Upazila of Khulna.

Established in 1972 and brought under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme on January 1, 1985, the school has played an important role in expanding education in the area. However, it has lagged behind in infrastructure development.

While the number and scope of students' educational needs have grown over the years, the school's old building appears to have remained largely unchanged.

Signs of deterioration are visible in various parts of the main building. Plaster has peeled away from the walls, exposing reinforcement rods and bricks. The old roof structure is also a source of concern.

On rainy days, water leaks through the roof and disrupts regular classes, creating concerns over both the students' studies and safety.
Sabera Khatun, a student, said, “When we see the beautiful and safe buildings of other schools, we also wish to attend classes in such classrooms. Water leaks through the roof on rainy days, making it difficult to concentrate on our studies.”

Another student, Sumi Akter, said, “We feel scared when attending classes in the old building. We want our school to be safe and beautiful too.”

Parents also share the students' concerns. They said temporary repairs or patchwork would not provide a permanent solution. The dilapidated building needs to be replaced with safe and durable infrastructure, they said.

Headteacher Mostak Ahmed said, “It is mentally stressful to come to school every day with responsibility for around 200 students. The building is so old and risky that the problem cannot be solved simply through painting or patchwork.”

He said 12 teachers are currently working at the school, while seven posts remain vacant.

“However, the safety of the students is a bigger concern than the teacher shortage. We hope the authorities concerned will inspect the school and take steps to construct a new and safe building quickly,” he added.

Locals questioned why students still have to attend classes in a dilapidated building even though the school has been spreading the light of education for 54 years.

They demanded that the authorities inspect the school's infrastructure and take necessary measures without waiting for an accident to occur.

Teachers, students, parents and local residents are now looking to the administration and the Education Engineering Department for effective measures to ensure the safety of around 200 students and provide them with a proper learning environment.