Gabtala school grounds flooded

Bagerhat Correspondent :

The grounds of Islamabad Government Primary School, No. 116, Gabtola, under Morelganj Upazila in Bagerhat district, remain knee-deep in water for half a month. Every day, 160 students of the school have to wade through this water to reach their classrooms.

As the water rises further during the full moon tide, student attendance drops significantly for 10-12 days each month. Both students and guardians are concerned about the safety of the school building.

A field visit found that the school in Gabtala village of Morelganj Sadar Union, on the banks of the mighty River Panguchi, is flooded with tidal water even after noon.

The school’s entrance and grounds are submerged, forcing students to attend classes in wet conditions every day. Although the school was established in 1972, the main building was constructed in the 1980s.

Later, a cyclone-resistant school building was built, which is now at risk. Excessive salinity has caused plaster to peel from various parts of the building.

In 2023, some renovation and painting were undertaken using the government’s minor repair allocation.

The building is not only used as a school but also as a shelter for 1,500 people from the surrounding villages of Bhaijora, Kathaltala, and Gabtala during natural disasters. Parents fear a major accident could occur at any time.

Assistant teachers Abdul Qayyum, Shahinur Khanam, and Dola Roy said that daily assemblies have to be held on the verandah due to waterlogging.

Although the building appears sound from the outside, its interior condition is precarious.

Local guardians Gaffar Hawlader and Razzak Sheikh said that, due to waterlogging, they have to take their children to school and bring them back home after holidays. As a result, their education is being disrupted.

The headmaster has already applied to the Upazila Education Officer to fill the school grounds and construct a new building for classrooms.

Local parents and villagers have made the same demand, saying that if the school grounds are filled with sand, students will no longer have to suffer like this.

Sikdar Atiqur Rahman, Upazila Primary Education Officer, Morelganj, said, “I have just joined. Not only Gabtala School, but several other such schools are in a fragile condition.

A list for the construction of new buildings for 10 tin-shed schools has been sent to higher authorities.

A list has also been submitted previously for filling the field. Efforts will be made to quickly resolve the problem at Gabtala School.”