Nine government primary schools in Gaibandha district have been swallowed by the Teesta, Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers in just one month, even as riverbank protection projects are being implemented.
Besides, six educational institutions are now under serious threat of erosion, leaving the education of nearly 3,000 children uncertain, according to Gaibandha District Primary Education Office.
Bhorer Pakhi Government Primary School in Kapasia Union of Sundarganj upazila was washed away by the Teesta early Tuesday morning.
Locals alleged that Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) took only nominal measures to protect the school.
Kapasia Union Chairman Monju Mia said local people repeatedly tried to save the school but received little effective support.
“We tried our best to protect the school, but nobody listened,” he said, alleging that the erosion-control work has become more focused on financial gain than on protecting vulnerable communities.
The school has now disappeared into the Teesta, leaving hundreds of children without a proper place to continue their education.
The situation is equally alarming along the Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers.
During the current erosion season, Char Chowmohon Government Primary School in Fulchhari upazila was washed away by the Jamuna. Uttar Khatiarmari Government Primary School was also lost, while Sitasati Government Primary School in Mollarchar of Gaibandha Sadar was swallowed by the Brahmaputra.
In Fulchhari, Char Pipulia Government Primary School, Galna Government Primary School and Kotokpara Government Primary School, among others, have also been lost to river erosion.
In some cases, teachers and members of school management committees managed to rescue tin roofing, benches and other movable assets before the buildings were consumed by the rivers.
At least 1,500 students from the nine affected schools could not sit for their quarterly examinations.
Although authorities said classes are continuing after the affected schools were relocated, the situation on the ground appears markedly different.
Several schools have been moved to makeshift structures in isolated locations without adequate benches, chairs or tables.
Local residents also alleged that teachers do not regularly attend and that influential individuals have become involved in controlling potential new school sites.
Meanwhile, six more government primary schools are standing dangerously close to the Jamuna riverbank.
They are Char Paschim Khatiarmari Government Primary School, Ketkirhat Government Primary School, Kauyabada Government Primary School, Kotiar Vita Government Primary School, Gouripur Government Primary School and Char Dakumari Government Primary School.
In several threatened schools, local people have begun dismantling tin sheets, fences and supporting posts and moving them to safer locations in anticipation of further erosion.
Residents and union chairmen said they repeatedly sought help from the local administration and the Water Development Board but effective protective measures did not materialise.
The erosion has already forced many families to abandon their homesteads, agricultural land and ancestral land and move elsewhere.
Gaibandha District Primary Education Officer Lakkhan Kumar Das said the schools destroyed by river erosion have been shifted to alternative locations.“Schools that have been washed away are being relocated. Where buildings could not be moved, they will be shifted soon following decisions by the education committees,” he said.
He also said classes are continuing despite the destruction caused by river erosion.