Risking lives to attend classes

Arifa Khatun, a fourth-grader at Bostal Government Primary School in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna, has to travel to school using a boat every day, leaving her family concerned for her safety.

Her 3-year-old sister, Jamila Khatun, drowned early last month while taking a ride on a boat. Since then, the family has become terrified of the perils of monsoon.

"Since my sister drowned, my parents are always anxious about sending me to school on a boat alone. However, there is no alternative. Otherwise, I'd end up missing a lot of classes," said Arifa.

The school, located in the Gaznar Beel in the upazila, remains submerged for around half a year from monsoon onward, compelling teachers and students to use boats to attend classes.

Visiting the school recently, this correspondent himself had to reach the school building on a boat. He also saw many students rowing boats to go to the school.

Riya Khatun, a student, said she has to pay Tk 150 to a boatman every month to get to the school. Yet, most days she is late as the boat takes time to take her there.

As a result, the school has long been facing a downturn in class attendance. Of the 65 students, only around half could manage to show up in the classes.

"The government founded this school in 2014 as the first in the village. Since the beginning, we have been struggling to get students," said Md Momin Uddin, headteacher of the school.

Now there are three schools in Gaznar Beel area, all being submerged and facing lack of students due to poor accessibility.

When visiting Sharir Vita Government Primary School in the area, this correspondent saw a similar scenario. Many students were seen attending classes in wet clothes.

"We commute to school by boat, and it usually rains in the morning. So, we get drenched on our way here," said Rohit Khan, a sixth-grader at the school.

Masura Khatun, a seventh-grader, said, "Sometimes we even fall off the boat and get wet. Thankfully, most of us know how to swim. But our parents are worried for our safety nevertheless."

Headteacher Shahidul Islam said the school has been submerged since the end of June and will likely remain so till mid-November.

Out of 238 students, only 120-150 students manage to attend classes regularly during this period, he added.

Headteachers of both schools demanded permanent boat facilities from the government so that teachers and students can arrive on time and return home safely.

There are around 550 students admitted to the three schools in the area, according to education office sources.

Abdul Zabbar, upazila primary education officer, said, "Three out of 145 primary schools in Sujanagar upazila -- Sharir Vita, Bostal, and Paikpara -- remain submerged for around five to six months, making it difficult to conduct academic activities."

"Of the three schools, Bostal and Sharir Vita are most affected. We have asked teachers from these schools to encourage parents and students so that academic activities are not disrupted," said Zabbar.

Asked about the demand for arranging boats for the affected schools, the official said they have already submitted a proposal in this regard.

"If we get funds from the government, we will arrange boats for teachers and students of the schools," he added.