Students of Jagodishpur Primary School in Jhalakathi sadar have been attending classes on the school verandah since 2015 because of the dilapidated condition of the infrastructure.

The school building that has three rooms is at risk of collapse, which is why the authorities arrange all the six classes on the verandah in two shifts between 9:00am and 4:00pm every day. 

Established in 1938, the school has at present 110 students from pre-school to class-V, said Shompotti Mondal, an assistant teacher.

Most of the students don't attend classes regularly because their parents fear the building may collapse any time, said Kanok Lata, another teacher.

The staff is even scared of working at the office room of the building built in 1994 as the ceiling has several cracks.

“We cannot use the classrooms, and it is very difficult to study on the verandah,” said Mishty Mistry, a student of class-V. 

“My parents are always worried the roof will fall on us,” said Tonni Shikder of the same class.

Shompotti said it is hard to maintain discipline when so many students share a common place as there is distraction from outside noises.

“We cannot even use a black board.”

Md Majnu Mollah, assistant upazila education officer, said the higher authorities had been informed of the building's condition.

“We have been writing to them for the last couple of years but have not received any response yet.”