A total of 326 students of Char Adarsha college in Charporadi area of Pakundia upazila in the district have been attending classes under the open sky as nor’wester blew away tin-shed roofs of the institution on 18 April.
Sources said the nor’wester that lashed several upazilas of the district on the day damaged educational institutions, dwelling houses, croplands and dairy farms and while at least five people including children died.
After the incident, the concerned educational institutions’ heads informed the matter to the concerned authorities and upazila nirbahi officer seeking steps to repair it. But no steps have been taken yet.
Md Mahbubur Rahman, principal of the college said: “There are 326 students at the college. The devastating storm left all the class rooms unfit that is why the students are attending classes under the open sky.”
“We have sent a letter to the UNO for immediate funding to repair the institution. We have also urged the local elites to come with helping hand for the purpose,” he added.
Azizul Hakim, an intermediate 2nd year student of the college said: “We cannot complete our lessons as we have to return back home without completing classes day after day.”
Mamin Mian, another student said: “We have to sit for the study under open sky in the rain and sun for long. Sometimes classes are suspended. If the classes are suspended day after day, we will not be able to complete the lessons which might affect our result.”
Md Shahfiqul Islam, English lecturer of the college said: “We cannot continue the classes under the open the sky due to sudden storm and rain. If this situation is going on, the syllabuses cannot be completed.”
Ramiz Uddin, a governing body member of the college said:“We have applied seeking fund for repairing the damaged educational institution to the concerned authorities.”
Mosarraf Hossain, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Pakundia confirming the incident said:”A list of damaged schools and colleges have been prepared and it will be sent to the Planning and Development Director of the Department of Education for sanctioning fund to repair the buildings.”