School teacher leads support for students in flood-hit Moulvibazar

The headmaster of Dasher Bazar High School of Barlekha upazila has taken an initiative for teaching the students staying in the shelters due to the prolonged flood in Moulvibazar.

At least 51 families who have taken shelter in Dasher Bazar High School are free from worries about the education of their children.

Five upazilas in the Moulvibazar district have been submerged for almost a month due to floods. Although the water in Moulvibazar Sadar and Rajnagar upazilas has decreased, Barlekha, Juri and Kulaura upazilas are still under water.

About 20,000 people are still staying in more than 50 shelters in flooded areas. The situation is hindering the studies of the many students currently staying in the shelters.

Headmaster Deepak Ranjan Das and other teachers of Barlekhar Dasher Bazar High School are providing regular lessons to the students staying shelter in that shelter.

Deepak said assistant teacher Md Hasim Ali teaches mathematics and science in the morning shift. Other teachers also help them in this endeavour.

A student taking lessons from the teachers expressed excitement at being able to continue their studies even in such a situation.

“Deepak sir not only helps us with studies but also tells us stories and talks to us about many things,” he said.

Shamim Ahmed and Abul Hossain were staying in the shelter with their families and were worried about the disruption of their children’s education. The parents also said that they are in a temporary shelter at the school due to prolonged floods.

Many people living together in a small space leaves little opportunities for the children to study. But the initiative of the teachers of the school has eased their worries to some extent.

Headmaster Deepak said, “I saw that if children spend day after day in such confinement, it can have an adverse effect on their minds. It also increases the risk of students dropping out.”

He also said that he wanted to do something for the children staying in the shelter and decided to help them with their studies.

Barlekha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khandaker Mudacchir Bin Ali said this is a commendable initiative. The system could be replicated in other schools if the flooding lasts longer.