Abdul Mannan Tamim, Tajumuddin (Bhola)

Despite the government taking various initiatives to improve the quality of education, the infrastructure crisis has not yet been resolved at Bora Ramrampur Government Primary School No. 99 in Shambhupur Union of Tajumuddin Upazila of Bhola.

For a long time, students have been teaching in dilapidated temporary tin shed rooms along with abandoned and risky buildings. This has raised concerns among teachers, students and guardians.

It is known that Bora Ramrampur Government Primary School No. 99 was established in the then Bora Malanchara Union in 1992. Later, due to erosion of the Meghna River, the school was shifted to the doorstep of former chairman Zakir Hossain Howlader's house in Ward No. 8 of Koralmara of Shambhupur Union in 2003. And in 2020, the authorities declared the school as risky.

It can be seen on the ground that the school has three small tin shed classrooms and a nominal office room. The noise from one room disrupts teaching in the next room. Although the tin shed building has electricity, there is no tube well or adequate toilet facilities. Students have to go to nearby houses to drink water and meet their natural needs. The school environment is also quite inadequate. There are no adequate educational materials and sports equipment. Although regular assemblies are held in front of the school, there are no necessary facilities for students' entertainment and sports.

Some students said that they also like the beautiful environment of the neighboring schools. But in the dilapidated and unhygienic environment of their school, it becomes difficult to maintain attention in the classroom, especially during the hot season. Parents have also expressed concerns about the safety of their children. However, they said that they are forced to send their children to school due to the lack of alternative arrangements.

The school teachers said that a new modern building is very important to ensure a better and safer learning environment. Due to the lack of adequate classrooms, multiple classes have to be taught at the same time. The tin roof heats up quickly in the intense heat, making it difficult for young children to stay in the classroom.

According to school sources, this school, which was nationalized in 2013, has 4 teachers working against 6. One of them is on maternity leave. There are 76 students from kindergarten to fifth grade.

The school's headmaster, Tahmina Mukta, said that the school's main pucca building has long been old and abandoned, so classes are being held in a tin shed. When it rains, the tin roof leaks and water enters the classroom, sometimes causing waterlogging. The tin roof heats up quickly in the intense heat, making it difficult for young children to study. She also said that since it is a tin shed, thieves have entered the school at various times by cutting the tin and stealing fans, lamps and various furniture. Despite repeated applications for the construction of a new building, no effective action has been taken yet.

Former Chairman of Shambhupur Union Parishad Zakir Hossain Howlader said, "Teachers have been teaching in tin sheds for a long time. It is important to quickly build new buildings and develop the necessary infrastructure to ensure a safe and good learning environment for students."

Tajumuddin Upazila Primary Education Officer Md. Riaz Alam said, "I joined this upazila a few days ago. The higher authorities have been informed about the school. We hope that the government will soon start the infrastructural development of the school under the PEDP-5 project."