38 schools unfit for use

The horrid condition of 38 primary schools in Nilphamari is a travesty against the curious young minds that attend these schools in the hope of broadening their horizons and receiving a proper education. A survey conducted on the physical condition of the primary schools there says it all. 38 schools have such poor facilities that it is discouraging students to the point where they are either forced to enrol in other schools, or give up on receiving a formal education altogether.

Classrooms walls in some of these schools have all but disappeared which allows cows and goats grazing nearby to enter the classrooms, filling them with cow dung and animal urine. In the midst of animal excretion, how is it possible for young children to concentrate on their studies? Moreover, because of leaks in the tin-roofs, rainwater during the monsoon season and intense sunshine during the summer makes life impossible for students. 

And the worst part of it all is that these schools were all nationalised under the government's nationalisation programme three years ago. Thus, the horrendous condition of these schools even after all this time shows nothing other than the apathy on part of the authorities towards the education of young children and their ordeal.

The government has now promised to construct new buildings for these vulnerable schools. But then, why hasn't it done so over the past three years? Instead of repeating past failures, the authorities should provide the necessary facilities to these schools without any delay.