GSTU school gasping in crisis: teachers and staff without pay and allowances for seven years

Photo: Collected

Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU) School and College once had 675 students. Now only 160 are studying there from play group to class ten. Teachers, students and guardians said the number of students at the school is falling because of various problems, including a shortage of classrooms, safe drinking water, sanitation, transport and a playground. In addition, the teachers and staff have not been receiving their salaries and allowances since 2019.

The school began its journey in 2017 in a pleasant setting beside the library on the university campus. At that time, 16 teachers and three staff members were appointed. Although 675 students were admitted in the first year, the college section was not launched. In 2020, the school received approval for teaching from the Dhaka Education Board. It was later moved to a site beside the vice-chancellor’s residence.

Teachers and students allege that the school’s infrastructure crisis began to worsen right after the relocation. Now two classes are taught in one room at the same time, there are not enough fans, water leaks through the tin roof when it rains, and there are also problems with safe drinking water and washrooms. As there are bushes around the school, there is also fear among the students.

Class five student Rukaiya Khanam said, ‘I have been studying here from play group to class five. The physical infrastructure of our school is not good. There are problems with washrooms and safe drinking water. I expect that VC sir will solve these problems of ours.’

Another student, Faridujjaman Ahsaf, said, ‘There are bushes and jungle next to the washroom. Snakes live there. It is frightening. Besides, when it rains, water leaks through the roof of the classroom.’

Class seven student Riyan said, ‘There is no playground. We have to attend classes in intense heat under the sun. When it rains, water leaks through the tin roof and we get wet. We attend classes with great hardship. So we want a playground and a new building for the school.’

Guardians said the school’s teachers teach with sincerity and take care of the children. That is why, despite the various infrastructure problems, they have not taken their children to other schools.

Taslima Begum, mother of pre-primary student Taibullah Rohan and play group student Ashikullah, said, ‘The teachers here teach with sincerity. They look after the children nicely. It is because of them that I have not taken my two sons from here and put them in another school.’

Sayla Zaman, mother of class six student Abdur Rahim, said, ‘The wonderful and safe environment of the university campus helps children’s mental and social development. That is why I admitted my child here. But compared to the facilities, the problems are far greater. Two classes are held in one room at the same time. There are not enough fans in the classroom. Besides, there are other problems too.’

Md Nazmul Islam Nahid, a former student of the school, said, ‘I passed SSC from this school. Now I am studying in the CSE department of Gopalganj technology university. The sirs and madams have built this school up like their own child. But they are not getting their salaries and allowances. This is very painful. I hope the university authorities will resolve it.’

Another former student, Iman Ali, said, ‘In our time the condition of the school was very good. Now, because of the university authorities’ neglect, the school has fallen into a crisis of existence. This must be resolved and the school turned into a model school.’

Nadim Ahmed, an assistant teacher at the school, said, ‘Our salaries and allowances have been stopped since the VC left in 2019. The school was relocated from beside the library and brought next to VC sir’s house. Since then the crisis has kept growing. Now the number of students is falling. If VC sir removes the school’s problems, the quality of education and the number of students here will increase.’

Assistant teacher Afroza Khanam said, ‘Thinking of the tender-aged students, we are appealing to VC sir and the education-friendly government to solve the school’s problems.’

Assistant teacher Aleya Begum said, ‘We have not been getting salaries and allowances for seven long years. We are running the school with the money collected from students and money from our own pockets. Because of this, it is very hard to get by with our families. Some teachers come to the school regularly from different districts and upazilas, including Khulna and Kotalipara. Their hardship is even greater. So we demand that the newly joined VC sir give the matter special consideration.’

However, the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Md Sohel Hasan, gave different information about the school’s approval and administrative structure. He said, ‘The school has no approval. It is not in the university’s organogram either. A school has been set up here, and there are teachers, staff and students too. So I will form a committee and include it in the organogram. Then, with the approval of the UGC, I will appoint teachers and staff. Whatever needs to be done regarding the school, I will do. Children are the future of the nation. For the spread of their education, their talent and intellect, and their welfare, I will solve the school’s problems.’