Teachers and about 300 students of Nothkhola Government Primary School in Basail upazila are passing days in anxiety as the educational institution might be devoured by the Jhinai River any time.
Teachers of the institution said their school might be eroded anytime as a vast tract of land of the area had gone into the river.
A portion of Shaheed Minar of the school and a bridge adjoining the school were also eroded by the river.
on 31 July, 2014, cracks developed on the floor of a classroom situated on the first floor while students were taking class. Since then, the classroom has remained under lock and key.
Soon after the incident, the Bangladesh Water Development Board started dumping synthetic bags to protect the building.
But no measure has been taken yet to save the school permanently form the erosion, complained students, teachers and guardians of the school.
They are in tension about the building as rainy season has all ready started.
The school was established in 131. At first it was tin a shed building. A concrete building was built in 2006. While visiting the area it was found that a big hole developed in a class room.
Tahmina Khoshnobish, assistant teacher of the school said: “A portion of the floor was damaged suddenly and we got afraid.”
After the incident the authority had not taken permanent steps to save the school.
“It is very unsafe to take classes inside the building. You can hear the rumbling sound of the flowing water from inside the classrooms.” she said, warning that the building might collapse.
Trishna, a student of Class V said: “We are passing time in tension as last year the river devoured Shaheed Minar and a portion of a class room.”
“We cannot give concentration to study in fear of the incident,” she also said.
Joya, Lamia, Limon, Rajim and many students of the school echoed Trishna.
“The river is swelling fast, raising the threat of erosion any time. Immediate protection measures are needed to save the two schools,” said Md Kamrul Islam, a 4rth class employee of the school.
“We have already submitted application to the higher authority to take immediate measures to save the institution,” said Shaahjahan Siraj, executive engineer of WDB.
