Milestone plane crash: Students were preparing for coaching after class

As on any regular weekday, classes at the Haidar Ali Building of Milestone School and College ended around 1pm on Monday (21 July) for students of classes 3 to 5 in the Bangla version and classes 6 to 8 in the English version. 

However, a large number of students stayed back in the building, waiting for their special coaching sessions. Some were waiting for their guardians, while others played in the open area in front of the building.

What could have been another routine afternoon quickly turned tragic when an F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into the ground floor of the building at around 1:15pm. 

The aircraft burst into flames, setting the building on fire. As of now, 29 people have died, and many others are in critical condition in hospitals according to government statement. 

Students and parents say that had the coaching not been scheduled, the number of casualties could have been significantly lower.

Ayan, a student of class 7, is currently battling severe injuries at the Burn Institute in Dhaka with 45% of his body burned. He, too, was waiting for his special coaching session after class when the crash happened. 

Ayan's cousin, Rahib, told The Business Standard, "Though their class ended at 1pm, he was still in the classroom for the school's special coaching. Had he not waited for coaching, maybe, he might have left the campus by then."

Parents and students confirmed to TBS that several classrooms were still occupied by students waiting for after-school coaching. In many classes, 60% to 80% of students typically stay back for these sessions.

Sabikun Nahar, mother of two Milestone students, Rajin in class 8 and Arabi in class 3, had decided not to enrol them in the school's coaching. She was already at the campus before 1pm that day to pick them up.

As soon as class ended, she picked up her younger son from the Haidar Ali Building (the one that was hit) and went to another building to collect her elder son. Just as they were heading toward the campus gate, she heard the deafening sound of the crash.

Sabikun Nahar told TBS the crash unfolded before her eyes, leaving her in shock. "If my son had been in class, I might've lost him. Maybe Allah saved him because I didn't enrol him in coaching."

She added, "The school repeatedly urged me to enrol my sons in coaching, but I refused. Around 80% of students attend after-class coaching, and at times, parents are pressured to comply."

Class 12 student Rajin Hossain told TBS that most students were likely waiting for coaching, adding, "I also attend the coaching sessions. Many choose school coaching as it's more affordable than private tuition."

A Milestone teacher, seeking anonymity, said most classes offer post-school coaching in regular classrooms. Many victims were waiting for these sessions or their guardians when the crash occurred.

"Sometimes class teachers recommend which students need coaching. On that day, most of those injured or killed were waiting either for coaching or for their guardians," he said.