Jhenaidah, June 2 – In Taminagar Government Primary School located in Shailkupa upazila within the Jhenaidah district, darkening skies do more than just suggest impending rainfall; they abruptly bring classes to a halt.
At this moment, classes are canceled—not due to holidays or formal notifications—but because the rooftop directly overhead shakes with impending peril.
The tired walls and delicate ceilings of the school narrate a somber story of disregard and deterioration. Cracks meander over the one-story building, revealing rusty reinforcement bars and flaking plaster that dangles precariously from the rafters.
Intense rainfall renders the Sylhet area hazardous for visitors; Sada Pathor location has been shut down.
Each gloomy sky projects a shadow of dread upon both educators and students, urging them to disperse before the clouds burst forth with rain and the delicate structure gives way to ruin.
Once a sanctuary for education, the roof has transformed into a hazard. Recurrent issues with peeling paint and deteriorating components have converted lecture halls into arenas of fear.
Both students and educators constantly fear that every approaching storm could lead to devastation, resulting in abrupt closings and interruptions to learning.
The local caretakers, their faces marked by concern, describe a string of preventable accidents that have tarnished the school’s past.
Even after numerous requests and alerts regarding the hazardous state of the structure, the officials have stayed quiet, with their neglect clear in each fissured support and flaking roof tile.
Abdur Razzak Molla, Laily Khatun, Chhabiran Nesha, and Jharna Khatun—parents and members of the local community—swiftly made their way to the school, expressing grave concerns about the children’s well-being.
Their concerns are valid; multiple students have already been injured by falling rubble, with some needing stitches as plaster showered down on them.
Ahad Ali, the committed principal, presents a somber account. “This educational institution was established in 1978 by Siraj Uddin Molla, an ardent advocate for education, on a piece of land covering 33 decimals. In 1994, the government constructed a building with three classrooms; however, from that time onward, it has progressively fallen into disrepair.”
Currently, the delicate structure hangs precariously on the brink of destruction. “It might fall apart anytime soon,” cautions Ali, as certain caretakers remain close to the staff lounge or inside the school premises during lessons, eager to shield their offspring from potential danger.
Even with these formidable obstacles, the institution persists in excelling both academically and athletically, underscoring the toughness and enthusiasm of its pupils and staff.
Still, this success is marred by the frequent urgent closures due to minor shifts in weather conditions. Whenever dark clouds appear, parents swiftly come to pick up their children, transforming school days into rushed efforts to ensure safety.
Multiple oral and written requests made to both local and higher authorities have gone unheeded. The calls for refurbishment or constructing a new facility continue to be ignored, resulting in the school community being ensnared in an ongoing loop of dread and ambiguity.
Facing further challenges, the school’s lone play area becomes inundated with just a slight rain shower, making it unavailable throughout the rainy season. The principal cautions, “Should a new structure not be built promptly, classes might need to cease indefinitely because of safety issues.”
Three people were detained in Jhenidah when they entered Bangladesh from India.
When asked for his remarks, Shailakupa Upazila Primary Education Officer Biswajit Saha stated confidently, “This issue will be discussed at the forthcoming monthly coordination meeting, and appropriate measures will be implemented as needed.”
At present, at Taminagar Government Primary School, each time the sky grows darker, it serves as more than just a meteorological prediction—it underscores the critical necessity for refuge, security, and optimism.
