Gopalganj Science and Technology University School and College is facing an uncertain future as its teachers and employees have gone without salaries and allowances for about seven years, while students struggle with inadequate classrooms, poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and the lack of a playground.
Established on the university campus in 2017, the school initially had 16 teachers and three employees and enrolled 675 students in its first year. The college section was never opened.
The teachers and employees have not been receiving salaries and allowances since 2019. The school received academic recognition from the Dhaka Education Board in 2020.
It was later relocated from beside the university library to an area near the vice-chancellor’s residence. Teachers, students, and guardians said its condition deteriorated after the relocation, causing enrolment to decline. The school now has only 160 students from pre-primary to Class 10.
Students said classrooms lack adequate fans and roofs leak during rain. They also complained about poor sanitation and a lack of safe drinking water.
“There are bushes near the washrooms where snakes are seen. Water also leaks through the classroom roof when it rains,” said Class 5 student Fariduzzaman Ahsaf.
Class 7 student Riyan said the school had no playground and students had to attend classes in extreme heat.
Guardians said teachers’ dedication was the main reason they continued sending their children to the school. Saila Zaman, mother of a Class 6 student, said the campus environment was good but facilities were inadequate. “Two classes are sometimes held in the same room. There are not enough fans, and there are many other problems,” she said.
Assistant teacher Aleya Begum said teachers had been running the school with money collected from students and contributions from their own pockets. “We have not received salaries or allowances for nearly seven years. It has become extremely difficult to support our families. Some teachers travel from Khulna, Kotalipara and other areas to attend school regularly,” she said.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Sohel Hasan said the school had no formal approval and was not included in the university’s organogram. “There is a school here with teachers, employees and students. I will form a committee to include it in the organogram and then seek University Grants Commission approval for appointing teachers and employees,” he said.
The vice-chancellor further said he would take necessary steps to resolve the school’s problems and improve educational opportunities for the students.
