At least 148 government primary schools buildings in eight upazilas of the district have long been declared abandoned owing to the poor conditions of the establishments.
Consequently the students have been taking part in classes amid great danger, particularly during rain or squally weather, as the authorities concerned are yet to take any initiative to the long-pending problems.
Forced closures seem to be a common scenario there amid fears of possible collapse of the schools during rain or strong wind.
On the other hand, local education officials have long been giving assurance of renovating or building new establishments for the schools, but the promise remains unfulfilled still now.
It was learnt from data available in the district primary education office that there are a total of 1,027 schools in the upazilas. The 148 abandoned schools cover 10 in the sadar upazila, 12 in Nabiganj, 8 in Baniachang, 10 in Ajmiriganj, 11 in Lakhai, 26 in Bahubal, 37 in Chunarughat and 34 in Chunaroghat.
The authorities long ago made the declaration considering the sorry state of the establishments and advised school authorities to continue academic activities by alternative means, shunning possible danger as they failed to ensure any quick remedy to the crisis.
Yunus Ali, headmaster of Tugli Government School in Bahubal upazila, said: “The local public works department had declared our school building abandoned three years ago owing to its vulnerable condition, but any repairs are yet to come. As a result, sometimes we have to take classes on the verandah or outside, and the situation particularly takes a serious turn during rains. In this state, many times we had to declare a holiday in the school. We repeatedly informed the education officer of these matters, but the move fails to avail any fruitful result.”
Abdapatia Government Primary School Headmistress Rajia Khatun in the aforesaid upazila said no solution has come up after their school had been declared abandoned in 2013.
Rain forces them to declare closures in the school for the sake of the students, the headmistress continued.
In the sadar upazila, Nizampur Government Primary School Assistant Teacher Samsunnahar said the students as well as they got feared during rain or strong wind apprehending possible break down of the vulnerable school building.
Habiganj Education Officer Md Sajjat Hossain said: “I have already informed the ministry concerned of the primary schools' dilapidated condition. In line with the initiative, I have directed the school managing committees and the upazila education officers to take necessary steps to ensure smooth activities during rain. I hope the ministry will as early as possible renovate or build the schools gradually.”