Historic Katipara School Faces Severe Infrastructure Crisis

Despite its rich heritage tied to the legendary poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta, Katipara Secondary School in Paikgachha is grappling with a severe infrastructure crisis. The historic institution operates out of a single three-room building constructed in 2015, forcing its 250 students and 13 teachers to hold classes on open verandas and under makeshift tin canopies.

Located on land that once belonged to the poet’s maternal uncle, the school was founded in 1986 and upgraded to a secondary institution in 2022. However, infrastructure has failed to keep pace. Headmaster Shivshankar Roy noted that with only two rooms available for teaching and one for administration, a new multi-story building is urgently required.

The lack of classrooms severely disrupts daily education. "We are forced to take classes outside, causing students to lose focus. During storms, classes are suspended entirely," said teacher Prama Ghosh.

Sanitation and security present equally urgent challenges. The absence of a boundary wall allows outsiders and stray cattle to enter the premises, disrupting the environment. Furthermore, the school lacks proper sanitation facilities, which disproportionately affects female and disabled students. Tenth-grader Farzana Yasmin noted that many female students skip school due to the lack of adequate, safe toilets.

Local residents and education advocates are urging immediate government action. Akram Hossain, Deputy Assistant Engineer of the Education Engineering Department in Khulna, confirmed he has visited the site and reported the critical need for new facilities to higher authorities.

The community is now appealing for swift infrastructural development—including a new academic building, boundary walls, and modern wash blocks—to restore a safe and effective learning environment at this historically significant site.