Established during the Liberation War in 1971, the Hoibatpur Toukathi Dakhil Madrasa in Nalchiti Upazila has educated thousands of students over the past 55 years. Yet, despite consistently strong academic results, the institution remains severely deprived of basic infrastructure and modern facilities.
Locals report that while the madrasa has successfully combined religious and modern education, successive governments have bypassed it for development projects. Today, students and teachers operate in an environment hindered by neglect.
An investigation into the remote upazila institution reveals a severe shortage of classrooms, dilapidated buildings, inadequate furniture, and a total lack of modern laboratory facilities. During the monsoon season, water seeps through the aging roof, and poor drainage severely floods the grounds, increasing the daily suffering of the students.
"This madrasa is a core part of our community's heritage," shared several local guardians. "While other educational institutions across the country have received multi-story buildings and digital labs, we have been completely left behind. We urgently need a new academic building, a boundary wall, and modern educational materials."
Current and former students warn that without immediate infrastructural improvements, the learning environment will deteriorate, putting future enrollment at risk.
Madrasa officials point to a history of unfulfilled political promises. Superintendent Maulana Md. Saidur Rahman stated that former Awami League MP for Jhalakathi-2, Amir Hossain Amu, repeatedly promised a new academic building but delivered no development over 17 years.
Meanwhile, Co-Superintendent Maulana Md. Abdul Quddus expressed cautious optimism, noting that MP Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto recently assured them that regional educational development would begin with their new academic building.
Locals and institutional leaders are now urging the Ministry of Education, the Education Engineering Department (EED), and local representatives to take immediate, practical steps to modernize this historic institution.
