Doripara in Bogra turns into a village of pry schools with extreme density

Gani Adam and Zia Shahin

BDNEWS writers

Bogra, Oct 27 (BDNEWS) – The Doripara village of Kamalapur union under the Shariakandi thana has turned into a village of schools with one primary school within each two kilometre.

The unusual density of schools in a single village was caused by the shifting of the schools of different villages located on the islands of the Jamuna.

Devastating erosion of the mighty river forced the inhabitants to re-settle at the villages adjacent to the cross dam stretching from Sirajganj to Shaghata upazila of Gaibandha.

Defying the government rule of not setting up brick-built schools at a temporary place four of those were found in permanent shape with brick-built complexes.

District primary education officer (DPEO) and the thana education officer (TEO) of Shariakandi gave contradictory versions over the matter.

TEO of Shariakandi Rejwan Hossain claimed the government has taken appropriate steps in constructing permanent set –ups of the schools at temporary places while the DPEO of Bogra Shakhawat Hossain declined to have such information.

Doripara village accommodated the schools of Atachar, Awlakandi, Char Majhira and Char Ag Bohail. About 700 students are found to be studying at the schools within the one km area along the cross-dam. Out of these schools Atachar, Ag Bohail and Char Majhira government primary schools were constructed permanently.

"But nobody reported me the situation", said the DPEO over cell phone, adding, "It is the duty of the school management committee (SMC)."

"I do not know of such irregularity that the schools which should belong to the respective villages are located at the same place", he told BDNEWS.

When contacted the TEO of Shariakandi told BDNEWS that everything was done according to the government procedure."

An on-the-spot visit reveals that many of the chars like Ag Bohalia Char Majhira, Char Baishaki re-emerged on the river Jamuna prompting many of the inhabitants to return there and who have been living there for three to four years.

When asked about the education facilities of the children of those families who have returned to their chars TEO Rejwan said, "There are some registered non-government schools for them.

When again asked whether the schools would be re-shifted to their original locations or not he said, "The brick-built schools might not be shifted but others might be."

A school management committee member of Atachar Primary School preferring anonymity said that they were not willing to shift the school as it had a permanent brick-built set-up and management members of the school reside nearby the school.

The SMC member ruled out any graft allegation regarding the school construction but when asked about the rationale behind the permanent construction of the school in a different place he said, "In the document original location of the school is showed."

Locals think the management committee, teachers and all officials are linked to the corruption process along with the contractors and facilities department officials.

Within another kilometre primary schools of Radhanagar, Char Baishaki and Showerbari also remain at the village Baliahata. Excessive number of students is shown in the school attendance to get the stipend facility and other education promoting programmes that the SMC members grab in collaboration with some teachers and officials while all the school buildings are here in miserable conditions.

BDNEWS/2101 hrs