Students immensely suffer as Manikganj pry school waterlogged

Students of a primary school in Manikganj face immense sufferings during the time of rain as even a light shower is enough to leave the nearby roads and schoolground waterlogged.

Water run-off from nearby houses fills the area with a foul smell, making the class atmosphere difficult for students and teachers. Moreover, they have to wade through mud water to reach the school and the field becomes unfit for play. Such a situation was seen by the FE during a recent visit to the school following several days of rainfall. Additionally, damp marks are visible on the classroom walls and the main building itself remains in a risky condition.

Rafi Islam, a third-grader, said, "Whenever it rains, the field fills with water. We have to go to class while getting wet. We can't play anymore and we don't get assembly. It's very difficult for us."

Mehezabin Roza, a second-grader student of the school, said, "There's mud and a bad smell. It's very hard to study inside the classroom, sometimes even to catch a breath. We can't play and have to sit inside all the time."

Assistant Teacher Dipa Mondal, said, "For a child's development, both study and play are essential. But because of the waterlogging, our students are deprived of outdoor activities. This is hampering their mental growth and even our movement has become difficult."

Parents share similar frustrations. Rafiqul Islam, a guardian, said, "Bringing and taking children to school has become a daily hardship. We have to walk through mud and water. In such conditions, how can the children focus on their studies? Many don't even want to come to school." He called for an urgent solution to the waterlogging problem for the sake of children.

Another parent, Rabea Begum, said they want the children to play along with studies as the absence of the former affects children's mental health. "Previously, we used to sit on the school field while waiting for them, but now we have to stand by the roadside."

Parvin Akter, head teacher, said, "Weak infrastructure, lack of an effective drainage system, and poor maintenance have created a miserable situation for the children. Students are deprived of sports, distracted by bad odours in class, and parents are frustrated by daily struggles."

"The waterlogging problem has persisted for a long time. At one point, we installed pipes to drain the field, but they became unusable. We have already wrote to the Upazila Education Office. If this is not solved soon, our academic activities will be severely affected', she added.

Upazila Education Officer Md. Mozzammel Hossain said, "We have already inspected the situation and informed higher authorities for drainage and field development. We expect this will be resolved soon."

Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Mezbah Ul Saberin said, "For primary-level students, a playground is not just for recreation; it is essential for their physical and mental development. I am prioritising this matter and will initiate development works under any suitable project of my office. As the governing committee president, I am committed to making this school more student-friendly."

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