Gafargaon (Mymensingh) Correspondent:

In Gafargaon Upazila of Mymensingh, 25 government primary school buildings have been abandoned due to widespread irregularities in construction work. The plaster is falling off the roofs and walls of these buildings, the beams are cracked, and rods are protruding in some places. Despite the threat of collapse at any time, about 5,000 students are continuing their studies at the risk of their lives due to the lack of alternative arrangements.

According to the Upazila Primary Education Office, there are a total of 236 government primary schools in Gafargaon. Of these, the Local Government Engineering Department has declared 25 school buildings abandoned. However, due to the lack of effective steps for construction or renovation of new buildings, students are having to take classes in the open air in many cases.

Mahbubul Haque, headmaster of Bhaturi Government Primary School, said that after the building was declared abandoned, classes have to be held in the field. Whenever clouds are seen in the sky, they have to take leave in panic. The same situation is in the Pakati Government Primary School in Barbaria Union. The school's headmaster, Hazera Akhter, said, "Every day, we have to go to class with fear. The parents of the students are also worried."

Every year, there are allegations of looting lakhs of taka in the name of renovating these buildings. Locals claim that due to irregularities and corruption by the contractors, the buildings have become unusable long before their expiry date.

Upazila Primary Education Officer (Acting) Noor Alam Bhuiyan said that the concerned authorities have been informed in writing about this and a demand letter has been sent for the construction of some new buildings. Regarding the looting of the allocation, he said, "I have received new responsibility. I have not received any complaint from anyone in this regard."

Abu Bakkar Siddique, Gafargaon Upazila Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), said that a proposal has been sent for the construction of new buildings.

Meanwhile, the parents of the students say that if the dilapidated buildings are not renovated or new buildings are constructed immediately, major accidents may occur.