Infrastructure crisis forces exodus of students from Chittagong government primary school
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The Chandgaon Government Primary School in the port city of Chattogram is grappling with a severe infrastructure crisis that threatens the safety and education of its 215 students. Despite being nationalized in 2013, the institution continues to operate out of a dilapidated semi-permanent structure, leaving students vulnerable to seasonal flooding and a lack of basic facilities.
Founded in 1995 through local initiatives on a five-gonda plot in the Sadhurpara area, the school has failed to secure funding for a permanent building. During the monsoon season, the situation worsens significantly as water from an adjacent pond rises to floor level, frequently inundating the classrooms. Recent heavy rains left the floors submerged for days, creating a damp environment that persists long after the water recedes.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The school’s deteriorating physical state extends to its common areas. The facility’s auditorium has been rendered unusable, now serving as a breeding ground for weeds and insects. Staff report that teachers are often forced to burn mosquito coils during class hours to protect students from pests. Furthermore, the entire student body and faculty must share only two aging toilets located at the periphery of the campus. The school also lacks a playground, a dedicated wash block, and a central monument for commemorations.
The facility’s struggles are compounded by administrative limitations. While there are six sanctioned teaching positions, only four are currently active, with one educator undergoing training and another role remaining vacant for an extended period. Headmistress Krishna Prabha Devi noted that despite repeated appeals for a new building, development funds have dwindled, leaving the school unable to perform necessary repairs on its roofing and infrastructure.
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The persistent lack of resources has led to a decline in enrollment as parents increasingly opt for private schools and madrasas in the surrounding area. Local residents have expressed growing concern regarding the safety of their children, particularly during periods of flooding. Education experts warn that this trend highlights a broader failure in the public school system, where the lack of basic amenities and modern learning environments erodes public trust.
District Primary Education Officer Firoz Ahammed acknowledged the school’s dire status, stating that the project to construct a new building had been stalled by the conclusion of the Fourth Primary Education Development Program (PEDP-4). He indicated that the school has been proposed for inclusion in the upcoming PEDP-5 cycle, which officials hope will provide the necessary funding to replace the current crumbling structures and restore a functional learning environment.
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