Teacher and students of a 137-year-old primary school in Joypurhat's Akkelpur upazila attend classes, risking life as the school made of mud and corrugated tin is vulnerable to collapse anytime.
Established in 1880, Dulali Government Primary School has now around 300 students and four teachers, said Headmaster Sahena Begum.
The four-roomed school building made of clay and corrugated tin was constructed around 50 years ago. Later in 1988, the government built a four-roomed semi-concrete building beside the old one. Roofs of the two buildings were made of tins, she said.
At present, both structures became so shabby and vulnerable to collapse, said the headmaster.
As the number of students has increased manifold in the last few years, the school authorities started holding classes at the clay made building due to lack of classrooms, which is more vulnerable to collapse.
The school turned 137 last year, but they are yet to get a modern building. The students suffered a lot during monsoon as rainwater entered classrooms through multiple leakages, said the headmaster.
Anis Mohammad, a guardian of the area, said lately, he visited the school and found the building too weak to collapse. Besides, the rooftop tins of the building are filled with multiple leakages.
Fourth grader Rasel Iqbal of the school said he sustained injuries at the classroom when a chunk of mud collapsed on him in November.
Abu Sayeed, president of the school managing committee, said despite repeated pleas, the authorities concerned are yet to take any steps for new school building.
Upazila Primary Education Officer Nadiruzzaman said they have written to the ministry concerned for fund but to no reply yet.
