There were 158 students in the institution before it was closed. Now, we are in contact with 121.

— Nazmul Morshed Headteacher of the school

By the bank of Jamuna river stands Char Chandani Government Primary School in Tangail's Bhuapur upazila.

Located in a remote char, this school was the only means of education for over 150 students who were enrolled in the institution before the pandemic started in 2020.

Although the Covid-enforced school closure was lifted in September last year, it has not been possible to resume classes -- first because of river erosion and then due to a conflict between locals.

As a result, many students dropped out, while some got enrolled at nearby madrasas.

As it was impossible to carry on classroom activities in the school's old buildings due to erosion, they were sold off in an auction in July last year.

The idea was simple, to use the money collected from the auction for relocating the school somewhere else.

However, conflicts between locals on selecting a site for the school building and indecision of the authorities lead to children being deprived of education for over two years now.

Some want the school to be re-established on the east bank of Jamuna, as most of the current batch of students hail from there. Meanwhile, people on the west bank want the school on their side, pointing out that there is no educational institution there.

There is also a political catch in this story.

The school was the biggest polling station in the area.

Seeking anonymity, locals claimed that the UP chairman and member candidates are against the relocation of this school to maintain their existing control over the polling station.

Two local lawmakers have also created more confusion regarding the school.

According to district administration sources, Tanvir Hasan Soto Monir, lawmaker of Tangail-2 (Gopalpur-Bhunapur) constituency, sent a letter to re-establish the school on the west bank of the river, while Aparajita Haque, a female lawmaker of the reserved seat from the constituency, requested the school be on the east bank.

Their letters were later sent to the secretary of the primary and mass education ministry from the deputy commissioner's office on September 28 last year for taking necessary steps.

Nazmul Morshed, headteacher of the school, said there were 158 students in the institution before it was closed. "Now, we are in contact with 121."

Villager Omar Faruk said the education of her two daughters is on halt as the school remains closed.

Other parents echoed the same.

Fazar Ali and Moydan Miah of the village said they have already shifted their daughters to a local madrasa.

Contacted, Abdul Latif Akand, president of the school's governing body, said, "The school should be relocated to the west bank, as they don't have any educational institution there."

However, Lal Miah, former president of the governing body, said, "Of 158 students, 138 were from the east bank before it closed. So it's only logical to re-establish the school on this side."

Bhuapur Upazila Primary Education Officer MG Mahmood Izdani said they could not resume educational activities due to conflict between the two sides.

Contacted, District Primary Education Officer Abul Kalam Azad said they are in constant contact with the Dhaka office over the matter.

However, none could clarify how the authorities are planning to resolve this issue.