The catastrophic cyclone Amphan wreaked absolute havoc in Khulna and did not spare its educational infrastructure, damaging as many as 1,299 schools across the division.
The affected institutions— under both private and government ownership—include 352 primary schools and 947 secondary schools, according to the Khulna Divisional Office of Primary and Secondary Education.
Meherun Nesa, deputy director of the directorate of primary education in Khulna, said: “ 352 primary schools have been affected by the recent cyclonic storm Amphan and each has suffered a loss of around Tk40,000 to over Tk2 lakh. The affected schools will be compensated for their losses on a priority basis from the funds allocated by the education ministry.”
The affected primary schools include 29 in Khulna, 7 in Bagerhat, 146 in Satkhira, 61 in Jessore, 38 in Jhenaidah, 7 in Kushtia, 13 in Narail, 11 in Chuadanga, 8 in Magura and 12 in Meherpur, she added.
Niva Rani Pathak, deputy director of the directorate of secondary and higher education in Khulna, said: “The 947 secondary schools affected across the division by the recent cyclonic storm Amphan have incurred a total loss of Tk12.87 crore. The education ministry has been notified by letters from the respective districts in this regard.
According to official assessments of the extent of damage, the losses incurred by the schools include Tk1.17 crore in 64 schools of Khulna, Tk1.72 crore in 157 schools of Bagerhat, Tk2.75 crore in 241 schools of Satkhira, Tk4.82 crore in 312 schools of Jessore, Tk98.75 lakh in 61 schools of Chuadanga, Tk1.61 lakh in 51 schools of Jhenaidah, Tk3.5 lakh in 6 schools of Kushtia, Tk34.55 lakh in 21 schools of Magura, Tk8.5 lakh in 3 schools of Narail and Tk2.5 crore in 31 schools of Meherpur.
Khulna District Primary Education Officer ASM Sirajuddoha said: “The schools that were severely damaged by cyclone Amphan are in need of urgent rehabilitation, include five in Koyra upazila, two in Sadar upazila, one in Dumuria upazila, three in Dakop upazila, 14 in Paikgachha upazila and one in Botiaghata upazila.”
According to official sources, there are 8,167 primary schools and 2,625 secondary schools in Khulna division.