United News of Bangladesh

Every school day, teachers and students in Feni step into classrooms of many schools that could collapse under their feet. More than 200 government primary schools in the district are operating despite damaged infrastructure, with over fifty buildings officially declared unsafe. For those inside, each day is a constant struggle against fear. In Feni, a district of 559 government primary schools, the aftermath of the 2024 floods is still painfully visible. Of the 284 schools damaged by the floods, many remain unrepaired, leaving teachers, students and guardians anxious about their safety, both locals and officials said. Read more: Infrastructure, education projects worth over Tk 190cr get govt nod In Feni Sadar Upazila, 110 out of 151 schools continue to function despite structural damage. Daganbhuiyan Upazila has 16 affected schools out of 102. Sonagazi Upazila has 77 schools damaged, Chhagalnaiya 65, Parashuram seven and Fulgazi nine. Many of these schools struggle with broken furniture, cracked walls, exposed rods, and leaking roofs. At Paschim Sonapur Government Primary School in Kazirbagh Union of Feni Sadar Upazila, UNB found classes continuing in a building that seems ready to crumble. Plaster falls from the ceiling, iron rods stick out dangerously, and cracks snake across walls and pillars. Rainwater seeps into classrooms, leaving students soaked and frightened. “We are always afraid because the school building is unsafe. It has not been repaired for a long time. We want the government to build a new school so we can study safely,” said students Abrar Mahmud Iran, Bibi Mariam Maria, Jannatul Fateya, and Jannatul Maula Radia. Parents share the fear. Mohammad Faruk and Md Saiful Islam said, “We fear sending our children to school. The building is unsafe and we do not know what might happen. Who will take responsibility if an accident occurs? The school is supposed to serve as a shelter during floods, but now even that is risky. We strongly urge the government to take immediate action.” Read more: ADB pledges $2.57 bln to boost Bangladesh’s infrastructure, finance For teachers, daily lessons are delivered under a shadow of danger. Arup Dutta, a local resident, described how plaster frequently falls during classes, rods jut out from walls, and ceilings leak when it rains. “We are teaching in fear. The government must build a new building to safeguard students’ education and future.” Headmaster Sangram Lodh added that the building’s poor condition, worsened by last year’s floods, leaves him with no choice but to continue classes there. “Many parents are now sending their children to kindergartens or madrasas instead of government schools. Despite repeated requests, authorities have taken no action to build a new facility,” he said. Mohi Uddin Khandaker, Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Teachers’ Association, emphasised that education must happen in safe and supportive environments. “Urgent steps are needed to develop these dilapidated schools so that students can study with interest,” he said. Feni District Primary Education Officer Firoz Ahmed confirmed the scale of the problem. “The district has 559 government primary schools across six upazilas. Several were damaged in the 2024 floods, and more than fifty are in risky condition. Some buildings have already been repaired.” Cooking inside operation theatre at Feni General Hospital; probe body formed He said details of unsafe schools have been sent to the relevant authorities. “We hope that when the Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5) begins in July 2026, all schools will see improvements.” Until then, however, the children of Feni continue their studies in fear, navigating classrooms where every crack and leak is a reminder of the risks they face, and the urgent need for action, according to locals.

Bangladesh and Japan on Monday signed an exchange of notes and grant agreement on the “Japanese Grant Aid for the Fourth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP4).” Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance Fatima Yasmin and Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh office Hayakawa Yuho signed the documents for over JPY 500 million or US$ 5 million. Ambassador Naoki said Japan has consistently made efforts to promote quality education in Bangladesh since the country’s independence in 1971. Also read: Dhaka-Beijing political trust continues to deepen: Envoy “Higher education is important, but for the development of the country, it is essential to extend cooperation at every level of education. Above all, education is the only way for children born into poor families to overcome poverty and empower themselves. Japan will continue its strong involvement in primary education,” he said. Secretary Fatima Yasmin said Japan's cooperation covers a wide range of fields, from infrastructure to education. “Education, in particular, is an investment for the future, and Japan has always been willing to cooperate and provide assistance for the future of Bangladesh. We are very grateful to Japan. I would like to ask for Japan's continued cooperation in primary education.” Also read: Korea to provide $700m in soft loans between 2021-25 PEDP is a national development strategic programme for primary education in Bangladesh. Japan has been supporting PEDP in cooperation with other development partners since 2011 under the Sector Wide Approaches (SWAPs).