The monsoon floods that ravaged the Sylhet region have turned the studies of over 4,55,000 students in 1522 institutions uncertain as they lost their books and educational materials amid no sign of immediate reopening of their classes.
The authorities are compiling a report on the extent of damages caused by the worst floods to hit the region in living memory this month, according to Prof Shahedul Khabir Chowdhury, director of the Department of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), Sylhet.
Reports received from the evaluation wing of DSHE, 100 educational institutions in the flood-hit upazilas under the Sylhet division can be operated fully while 100 can reopen partially.
Besides, over 500 educational institutions remained closed in the flood-hit areas while 450 others are still used as shelter homes for flood victims, Prof Shahedul said.
He said the textbooks of many students have been washed away in flood-affected areas.
The examinees of Secondary School Examination (SSC) examinations are worried about sitting for the exams as flood waters damaged their books.
Tofazzal Hossain, a student of Salutikor High School in Sadar upazila, said: “My books were washed away by the flood water and I have failed to collect replacements from the local school as they have no extra copies.”
Shihab Ahmed, a seventh-grade student and resident of the Rayergaon area of Sadar upazila, said: “Flood water entered our houses on June 17 and I am yet to collect new books and copies. When we returned home on June 24 and I found all of my books and copies were damaged.”
About 80% of areas in Sylhet districts were flooded while over 21 lakh people got stranded in the second wave of the deluge on June 15.
Abdul Mannan Khan, director of the Department of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), Sylhet said directives have already been given to make a list of affected students and books will be provided following the list.
He also urged the students to manage their books from their friends if possible.
Pratul Chandra, primary education officer of Goainghat upazila, said 50% of books, which were kept in stock, have been damaged.
“The educational institutions in the upazila will be reopened after Eid-ul-Azha in the second week of July. Steps will be taken after assessing the extent of damage to the institutions after their reopening,” he said.
In another development floods claimed three more lives in different parts of the country within 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the total fatalities to 87.
Among the deceased, 61 people have died by drowning and two from snake bites, one from diarrhea,14 from lightning strikes and nine for other reasons.
The total deaths were recorded from May 17 to June 28.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, all the major rivers in the country except the Teesta are falling.
