Waterlogged field hampers school activities in Bauphal

The playground of Rajapur Secondary School in Kalishuri Union of Bauphal Upazila has remained waterlogged for a prolonged period, depriving hundreds of students of sports, physical education classes, assemblies and extracurricular activities.

Even light rainfall leaves the playground submerged, while the stagnant water has become overgrown with water hyacinth and weeds, giving the field the appearance of a pond.

Established in 1985, the school currently has around 250 students.

A recent visit found that most of the playground was under water, with water hyacinths and weeds covering several sections. The field’s uneven and low-lying surface causes rainwater to accumulate even after minor showers, while the situation worsens during the monsoon, making the playground unusable and disrupting the school’s normal academic environment.

Ariful Islam, a local resident alleged that the absence of a permanent drainage system allows rainwater to remain stagnant for days. They said the problem has persisted for years without a lasting solution, causing growing frustration among students, teachers and guardians.

“We cannot play because the field remains waterlogged all the time,” said eighth-grader Md. Sayem Farazi, urging the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure proper drainage.

Another student, Saimun Hossain of Class IX, said the playground becomes completely submerged during the rainy season and called for urgent measures to remove the waterlogging and restore the field for sports and other activities.

Physical Education Teacher Md. Ashraful Islam Khan said sports play a vital role in the physical and mental development of students. However, due to the persistent waterlogging, the playground has become unsuitable for sports, assemblies and other educational activities.

Headmaster Md. Zakir Hossain said the problem had existed for many years because the playground was situated on low land.”The issue has been reported in writing to the relevant authorities, and we have applied for a permanent drainage system and renovation of the playground,” he said.

Bauphal Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Saleh Ahmed said the administration would examine how a permanent drainage system could be developed for the playground and take the necessary steps to resolve the problem.