Government seeks information on risky primary schools

The Department of Primary Education (DPE) has asked for a district-wise list of risky government primary school buildings and schools that have not received new buildings in the last 25 years.

Urgent instructions were sent to district education officers across the country through a letter signed by DPE Director (Planning and Development) Mirajul Islam Ukil on Wednesday (May 13).

According to the letter, the DPE implements the construction of government primary school buildings under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. However, teaching activities are still continuing in many schools despite serious infrastructure problems.

The directive said buildings should be considered risky if they are very old, vulnerable to accidents, have cracks in columns, beams or roofs, or have been damaged by earthquakes or natural disasters. Buildings with damaged plaster and exposed rods will also be treated as risky.

It added that buildings declared unusable by the relevant committee must also be included in the list.

The DPE further said schools operating in separate tin-shed or temporary tin-shed structures should be considered for new building construction.

To support infrastructure development, the department instructed officials to urgently submit information on risky buildings and schools without new construction for 25 years.

District authorities have been asked to send soft copies by email and hard copies by post following the prescribed format by May 24.

Copies of the directive were also sent to divisional deputy directors, upazila primary education officers and senior DPE officials.