Locals are demanding the conservation of a 300-year-old primary school in Naogaon. Erosion by the Chhoto Jamuna River has slowly been advancing on the school building and may soon devour it whole.
The Atgram Primary School was founded in 1757 by a landlord of those times, which was later made a government school after the country became independent.
Around 200 children of five villages are currently students of the school located in Atgram village of Naogaon's Atrai upazila. The school has six rooms in two single floor buildings.
On a visit to the school, this correspondent found that boats are the only means of reaching the school during the monsoon. The Chhoto Jamuna flows on the east side of Atrai village while the Atrai River flows on the southern side. Then there is a large beel(large waterbody) on the west side of the village.
With so much water all around, due to erosion, the school field has been rendered unusable. Five rooms of the school are being used to conduct classes where students are taught their lessons in a congested environment. There is no scope for entertainment activities for students of the school.
Mukul Uddin, headmaster of the school, said: "The school was founded on 1.24 acres of land in 1757. Around 8-10 shatak (4350 square feet) of the school’s field has already gone into the river due to erosion. Now the main building may collapse any time and all of the school might go into the river."
Upazila primary education officer Zillur Rahman said: "The authorities were informed about the situation of the school. The problem will be discussed at the next meeting of the monthly coordination committee of the upazila."
Arifuzzaman Khan, executive engineer of the Water Development Board, said: "A report was sent to the higher authorities informing them of the situation of the school. The historic institution could be saved with funds approved for development work."
