Classes suffer as school field used for threshing paddy

Students of Uttar Deshibai Chourangi Government Primary School in Jaldhaka upazila under the district are facing health hazard as local farmers are threshing newly harvested boro paddy on the school ground, causing air pollution.

Classes of around 300 students enrolled there are hampered too.

Visiting the school on Monday, it was found that local farmers piled up and spread newly harvested paddy to dry on the school ground.

Some female workers were threshing paddy manually by hitting it on flat wooden pieces, spreading dust and straw particles around.

Students gathered there to observe the work, oblivious of the health hazard due to inhalation of the air mixed with dust and small particles.

"Local farmers use the school ground for threshing paddy, ignoring my request not to do that. If I take a hard stand, teachers' relation with the farmers, who are also guardians of students, will be bitter," said Golam Mostofa, headmaster of the school.

Several students of the school including Rifat of Class III, Minnuza of Class IV, and Liamoni of Class I said they cannot play in the school field during leisure period as it is occupied by farmers for threshing and drying paddy.

It also makes their dress dirty and many students suffer from breathing problem, cough and bad headache by inhaling polluted air.

A few guardians alleged that the headmaster lacks the moral courage to prevent farmers cum guardians from doing agricultural work in school area as he often stays away from school in the name of official works. 

Contacted, Jaldhaka Upazila Primary Education Officer Shahjahan Ali said, "Threshing paddy on the school ground is not acceptable. I shall investigate the matter and take steps as per rule if the allegation is found true."