Construction work of Biyaghat Government Primary School building is underway by destroying the adjacent playground in Gurudaspur upazila of Natore. Children and teenagers from at least 10 nearby villages regularly use this field for playing football and other sports. So, people formed a human chain demanding protection of the playground on Wednesday.
A human chain was set up at the school ground at around 11am on Wednesday. After that, the locals lodged a written complaint with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer to protect the field. Hundreds of people dependent on the field took part in this programme. Locals allege that the building is being constructed using at least 25 feet of the western part of the field. As a result, the size of the field is reduced and it becomes unsuitable for playing. However, if the building is constructed by removing the unplanned rear structure of the school building, the field will be protected.
Local football team coach Abdul Matin, players Sumon Sardar, Shahbuddin, Dipu, Majnu, Nahid Hasan Nayan and at least 15 others said that as there is only one field in the vicinity, the school ground in Biyaghat. Moreover, this field is one of the means of physical and mental development of the students of the school. But the school authorities have started the construction work of the building by destroying the field without thinking about the children and teenagers of the area. At present the base of the building is being cast.
Assistant teacher Kamal Hossainsaid the construction of the new school building was being done after a detailed discussion with the locals. Shahadat Hossain Rantu, president of the school management committee, said he also wanted the field to be protected.
But if authorities want to protect the field, they have to break it. And if the rare washroom is broken, the misery of the students will increase.
Upazila Engineer Milon Hossain said the construction work is going on after protecting the field as much as possible.
Gurudaspur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tamal Hossain said he had received a written complaint about the construction of the building by destroying the playground. Upazila Executive Engineer has been given the responsibility to investigate the allegation.
