Sohel Kanti Nath, Bandarban

The Bangladesh Army is working tirelessly to bring the light of education to the backward communities in the remote hills of Bandarban. In continuation of this, the Bangladesh Army has built the Chuanbil Para Pre-Primary School to spread the light of education among the children of the backward local Bam community living in Chuanbil Para of Ward No. 3 of Alexyang Union in Rowangchhari Upazila of Bandarban. The school was formally inaugurated by Zone Commander Lt. Col. Mahmudul Hasan on Tuesday (February 25).

It is learnt from the field that, 20 km from the district headquarters, one has to walk for 2 hours on a rugged hilly path through Kachchapatli and then Sadhu Headman Para of Rowangchhari Upazila to reach this remote Chuanbil Para. 140 members of 25 families live in this remote area, of which 25 to 30 are children. Since there has been no primary or pre-primary school in this neighborhood since 1980, children have been deprived of their basic right to education for many years. Considering the education of the young children, the construction of the "Chuanbil Para Pre-Primary School" was completed on January 6 of this year with the overall support of the Bandarban Army Region and the relentless efforts of the Bandarban Army Zone. Fifteen boys and girls are studying in the pre-primary 1st and 2nd grades in this school. And two local teachers have also been appointed to teach these children.

Meanwhile, the students, teachers and local people of the school are overflowing with joy as they can sing their country's national anthem "My Golden Bengal, I Love You" from the veranda of their school established in a remote area.

Moon Sang Bom, a businessman from Chuanbil Para, said that before the country's independence, there was a government primary school in the area during the East Pakistan period, but in 1980, due to internal local political organization grouping, the people including the school moved to the neighboring Kachhapatoli. Later, even though the people returned to the area, the school remained in the Kachhapatoli area. He also said, The young boys and girls of the area cannot write A-A, we are very happy that the army has set up a school here. At least our boys and girls will not be illiterate anymore. Where we have to struggle to meet our daily basic needs in remote areas amidst poverty, it is not possible for our children to travel long distances to Kachhapatli area or Rowangchhari Sadar for their education.

Miram Moy Bam, another resident of Chuanbil Para, said, I went far away to get my primary education, but I could not complete my studies due to the distance of travel. The army has set up a school in the area, and now my boys and girls can go to school here, which makes me very happy.

Diana Bam, a class teacher at the school, said, the children here do not get the opportunity to go to Rowangchhari Sadar or the city to study. Thank you to the army for providing us with a primary school here after a long time.

In this regard, Bandarban Army Zone Zone Commander Lt. Col. Mahmudul Hasan said, "The Bangladesh Army has been working for a long time to spread the light of education among children of all communities living in remote areas of Bandarban. This initiative is in continuation of this. For many years, the tender children of Chuanbil Para have been deprived of the light of education.

With the establishment of this school, children will be able to receive pre-primary education from now on. Every such good initiative will continue in the future as well," said Zone Commander Lt. Col. Mahmudul Hasan.