Alikadam Ideal Government Primary School, located in the heart of Alikadam Upazila of Bandarban district, is facing a classroom shortage, disrupting education for the last three years. The school has 315 students, but only 5 classrooms. As a result, students are forced to stand or sit closely together in class.
The school's SMC president, Samar Ranjan Barua, said that the school's main building and attached toilet were demolished in December 2020 to make way for a new building under PDID-4. However, due to various complications, the new building has not been constructed even after three years. In addition, one classroom in the school's two-story building cannot be used due to a leak in the water line.
The school's headmaster, Aprom Marma, said that the school was established in 1965 on 2.5 acres of land. The school has earned a reputation for primary education in the upazila by consistently achieving good results for many years. Due to the various problems, quality education cannot be provided. As a result, the school is losing its acquired reputation.
The school's assistant teacher, Md. Nurul Huda Bhuiyan, said that the school has a sanitation problem. A toilet that was attached to the main building was demolished. Now, one toilet is not enough for hundreds of students. The existing toilet is also dilapidated and needs to be repaired. In addition, the school has a water problem. Water cannot be obtained from the current tube well in the dry season. The water that is available is not potable.
The students of the school said that they have to stand up in class because there are not enough classrooms and tables to sit. In some classrooms, students have to sit closely together. As a result, their studies and attention in class are disrupted. They requested the intervention of the relevant departments to solve this problem.
The students' parents said that the school has good academic standards. However, classroom and furniture shortages have been disrupting education for a long time. Students have to sit closely together in every classroom. Students who arrive late to class do not get a seat. Many students return home disappointted. In order to solve this problem, a new building is urgently needed for the school.
On-site inspection of the school revealed that a tom-tom station has been set up at the entrance of the school. This poses a risk of accidents for young students. Although the school has 2.5 acres of land according to the records, some of the land has been encroached upon. Some of the benches in the school are being used with patchwork. Furniture is inadequate for the number of students.
Alikadam Upazila Education Officer (in-charge) Mongkun Marma said, "I have just joined. Arrangements will be made soon to solve these problems. The Bandarban District Education Officer is scheduled to visit Alikadam on Wednesday. I will discuss the problems."
Alikadam Upazila Executive Officer Jaber Md. Sowaib said, "We have talked to LGED Alikadam several times about building a new building. Steps will be taken to resolve the classroom shortage before the construction of a new building."
