Police in classrooms for 17 years, students in ‘cattle shed’

Police outposts have been operating in classrooms at Laxmikhali Government Primary School in Jiudhara Union of Morelganj Upazila of Bagerhat for 17 consecutive years while students are being taught in a cattle shelter or a cowshed.

Parents have been expressing their anger over the issue since a long time.

Visiting the spot it was seen that classes are being held in three temporary rooms with tin fences on the ground floor of the school. These rooms do not have adequate lighting, ventilation, electric fans or toilets. As a result, the normal learning environment of students is being severely disrupted.

According to school sources, police outposts were set up in some rooms of the school building in 2009 to control the law and order situation in the area. Even after 17 years, they have not been removed. Meanwhile, large cracks have appeared in the walls and stairs of the school building built in 2008, which poses a risk of accidents at any time.

The school's headmaster, Neera Rani Tafali, said that currently there are about 130 students in the school. But due to teaching, arbitration activities and police presence in the same building, there is always an uncomfortable atmosphere, which is not suitable for children. The matter has been reported to the concerned authorities several times, but it has not been resolved.

Guardian Ramesh Chandra Saha said that it is very shameful that children have to study in the cowshed. Another guardian, Kalpana Rani Biswas, said that children are afraid of the constant presence of police in the school. They demanded that the outpost be moved quickly.

In this regard, Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. Baten said that children's teaching and police activities should not go on together in the same building. The issue has been discussed with the Superintendent of Police and a quick solution is expected.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Muhammad Mohidur Rahman said that land has already been acquired for the outpost and preparations are underway to build a new building. The outpost will be shifted after the construction of the new building. Earlier, discussions were also underway to temporarily move it elsewhere.