800 students suffer as school ground stays waterlogged

The ground of a primary and a high school in Mymensingh's Gafargoan upazila remains waterlogged for at least three months a year, depriving students of sports, assemblies and other co-curricular activities.

Kharua Borail High School and Kharua Borail Government Primary School share the same ground, which, according to teachers and students, stays submerged for days even after moderate rainfall.

During the monsoon, stagnant water covers the field for months, disrupting outdoor activities and turning it into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, exposing children to health risks.

Locals said this not only hampers education but also leaves a negative impact on young minds.

"The school field remains underwater and full of mud for several months. We cannot play or even hold assemblies," said Lima Akhter, a 10th grader.

Her classmate Mithila Akhter said the waterlogging has made school life irritating instead of enjoyable.

About 800 children study in the two schools and are directly affected, said Bina Debnath, headteacher of Kharua Borail High School.

The poor condition of the playground hampers both their physical and mental development, she said, adding that the field once had a proud sporting history as its girls' team played in the finals of the inter-district school football competition in 2017 and 2018.

Md Anisur Rahman, retired headteacher of Kharua Borail Government Primary School, said the local administration and education department officials were informed several times but no effective action has been taken yet.

Md Mofakharul Islam, upazila secondary education officer, said a project has been taken up to fill a portion of the field with earth this season.

He said the problem began after the earlier drainage system was blocked by a section of locals.

NM Abdullah Al Mamun, upazila nirbahi officer in Gafargoan, said they were aware of the problem and necessary steps would be taken soon.