20 pairs of benches for 170 students in a govt primary school

Although there is no other school within its two-kilometre radius and that it is the only option for local students especially the ones belonging to poor families, Kakuria-Machhim Government Primary School in Kalmakanda upazila under Netrokona district is grappling with shabby infrastructures.  

Founded by the local people in 2010, the school got nationalised four years later. 

At present, it has only three classrooms with a total of twenty pairs of benches for as many as 170 students studying from pre-primary to primary levels. 

The tables and chairs for teachers are also fragile and shaky.

The earthen floor of the school is on the same level as the school ground, paving way for rainwater to enter the classrooms easily. 

Even though the village Kakuria-Machhim has electricity connection, the school has no access to electricity.

"During the rainy season, we cannot concentrate on our study in the classroom. We fear raindrops and lightning might pour in through the holes on the tin-made roof of our classroom," said Shahin, a student of the school. 

To make matters far worse, there is only one toilet and its key belongs only to the teachers. 

Habibur Rahman, the acting headmaster of the school said during the rainy season the entire school goes under two-to-three-feet water while rains dropping down the holes on the roofs drench documents and study materials. 

Classes have to be postponed indefinitely during the season, he added.

Laili Akhter, an assistant teacher of the school said the school was destroyed twice in recent years by the Nor'easter, and on both occasions, the teachers had to pay for the reconstruction.

At present, the school has only three teachers including Laili and Habibur. There is a fourth teacher, who is now away to get a diploma in primary education. The school has no permanent headmaster.

It has been learned that Tk30-40 thousand is spent every year for the repair and reconstruction of the school and the amount is not close to enough.

Upazila Primary Education Officer Sarwar Jahan said of the total 172 schools in the Kalmakanda upazila, 20 are running with similar poor facilities.

The district primary education officer has been informed of the matter, Sarwar said.

District Primary Education Officer Obaidullah said a total of 86 schools in Netrokona do not have a durable building or a pucca building. A list of these schools has been sent to the additional secretary for development. 

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development will give necessary instructions to the Local Government and Engineering Department in this regard, he concluded.