5,500 students attend classes in 35 risky school buildings at Gauripur

MYMENSINGH, Sept  28: Around 5,500 students are attending classes in 35 dilapidated and potentially dangerous buildings of government primary schools in Gauripur Upazila of Mymensingh.

Many of the buildings became risky only 10 to 15 years after construction, with cracks appearing in roofs, beams and walls. Plaster is regularly falling from ceilings, sometimes over students, while floors in some schools have also collapsed.

The situation has raised concerns over the safety of students and teachers and the quality of construction work. Locals alleged that poor-quality construction materials, negligence and alleged corruption in the engineering department contributed to the rapid deterioration of the buildings.

Upazila Education Officer Saida Rubayat acknowledged the situation and said a list of the risky schools had already been sent to higher authorities.

“Students have been asked to be moved from classrooms that are completely unsuitable for lessons and classes to be held in alternative rooms,” she said.

Locals alleged that contractors used substandard construction materials and that officials concerned neglected proper supervision.

Azizul Haque, 55, of Gobra Village, said the building would not have deteriorated so quickly had adequate cement been used during construction.

“Even if the construction work had been poor, regular curing with water could have prevented the building from becoming so dilapidated so quickly,” he said.

Abdul Halim of Pacherkanda blamed negligence by officials of the engineering department for the deteriorating condition of the buildings.

The 35 schools include Gauripur Poura Model, Machuakanada, Golokpur, Jagorani, Nutan Bazar, Pacherkanda, Ahsanpur, Panati, Bholarlagi, Koltapara, Laxmipur, Gujikhana, Betandor Adarsha Sangsad, Paschimpara, Sahanati, Bhalukapur, Tengapara, Laturpaya, Shahabajpur, Baherartala, Nijmaoha, Charakona, Singraund, Shahganj, Dharakandi, Killatazpur, Challisha Koreha, Kashiarchar, Longshakhola, Marichali, Gobra, Mahishwaran, Baruamari, Berati Azmat Ali and Sheikh Khamir Uddin Government Primary Schools.

Upazila Engineer Md Aminul Islam said he was not fully aware that so many primary school buildings had become risky.

At Jagorani Poura Government Primary School, the first building was constructed in 1982 and is now almost in ruins. The four-room building constructed in 2011 has also become highly risky, said headteacher Sanjida Yasmin.

She said cracks had developed at several places, including the beams, while plaster was falling from the walls.

At Machuakanada Poura Government Primary School, headteacher Md Abdus Sattar said cracks had appeared at several places and plaster was falling, making it difficult to conduct classes safely.

The second building of Golokpur Poura Government Primary School was constructed by the Local Government Engineering Department in 2003, while the second floor was added in 2010 under PDB-2, said headteacher Paciflora Sultana.

“Plaster is falling and cracks have developed in the beams. Students are attending classes at great risk,” she said.

Nutan Bazar Poura Government Primary School headteacher Mohsina Ferdous said plaster crumbles whenever any part of the building is touched.

“A beam has completely cracked and plaster is falling from several parts of the veranda. We are struggling to conduct classes. Extra students are being taught in the veranda, while two classes sometimes have to be held in a single room,” she said.

At Gauripur Poura Model Government Primary School, the entire building is considered risky, according to headteacher AKM Mazharul Anwar Ferdous.

Water leaks through the roof and several parts of the building have been repaired temporarily with cement. Plaster also falls when the walls are touched, he said.

“We are struggling to teach more than 500 students in this condition,” he said.

Pacherkanda Poura Government Primary School headteacher Anjuman Ara Begum said its building was constructed in 2007 but has developed several cracks, while plaster is falling from the office and classrooms.

At Ahsanpur Government Primary School, a new building handed over in 2010 has developed cracks in several parts of the roof. Plaster is coming off in classrooms and the veranda, and cracks have appeared throughout the building, said acting headteacher Mosammat Jinnat Rehana.

Panati Government Primary School headteacher Md Abu Said said the building was constructed in the 1998-99 fiscal year and handed over towards the end of 1999.

Although it was initially designed with a foundation for a second floor, the upper floor was never built because of defects, he said. The single-storey structure is now deteriorating, with cracks appearing in several places and plaster falling onto students during classes.

A similar situation prevails at Bholarlagi Government Primary School in Bhangnamari union. Its roof leaks, cracks have appeared in several places and plaster is falling, said headteacher Enamul Haque.

At Laxmipur Government Primary School, the two-storey foundation building was constructed in the 2006-07 fiscal year, but only the first floor was built. The building has now become unsuitable for use, said acting headteacher Muhammad Moniruzzaman Fakir.

At Gobra Government Primary School, one classroom has already been declared abandoned. Classes are now being held in a tin-shed structure.