We express our grave concern over the run-down condition of primary school buildings and faulty structures across the country as these are at great risk of collapse anytime. The Bangladesh Post on Tuesday ran a story headlined “Primary schools in dire straits”, saying floods caused damage to around 2,800 primary schools in 11 districts under Sylhet and Chattogram divisions.
The 2022-2023 annual report from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education says that Bangladesh currently has 1,14,539 primary schools, of which 65,565 are state-run. These schools have 362,709 teachers and approximately 1,71,62,365 students.
Around 20 per cent of the country’s primary school buildings are in a dilapidated state, putting the lives of thousands of students and teachers at risk. Additionally, 16 per cent of the school buildings require immediate repairs.
Many government primary schools are 40 to 50 years old. Many of the 26,193 primary schools nationalised in 2013, are in poor condition, with hundreds more damaged by floods and cyclones. In many cases, school authorities are holding classes in abandoned buildings, putting both teachers and students’ lives at risk.
Students of those primary schools in the country have been attending their classes amid fear that the school buildings may collapse any time because of their dilapidated condition, but the authorities concerned seen to be nonchalant about the emergency repair. The matter was brought to the notice of the higher authorities several times, but no initiative has been taken yet.
Cracks have developed in many
parts of the school buildings and
students are often scared to attend classes
Local administration and school authorities have identified school buildings as risky earlier and as years passed on, the plasters of the roof and walls often fell off, creating panic among the school students.
During the rainy season, water leaks in the classrooms from the roof due to very damp walls. Besides, many classrooms of the school buildings were abandoned while a large number of classrooms of the building were identified as risky.
Cracks have developed in many parts of the school buildings and students are often scared to attend classes. These buildings are too risky to use.
The authorities concerned should take immediate steps to repair the school building or construct new structures. Despite the fear of a disaster, the teachers and students are forced to use the building, as the authorities have not yet constructed new buildings for them.
Primary school buildings that are operating with plasters falling off the ceilings, cracks in the walls, holes in the floors, water leaking through the roofs, and broken windows and doors.
As there is no alternative, the teachers and students are forced to used such a worn-out buildings, the authorities concerned will have to construct new school buildings with modern equipment and facilities for our primary students sooner than later.
