Sylhet schools yet to resume classes

Despite a government direction to resume academic activities in Sylhet schools during the ongoing hartal and blockade, the schools are yet to be become fully functional. School authorities said that the parents and guardians are afraid to send their children to schools due to the risk of arson attacks.
The teachers, however, hoped that the situation will improve from next week. Meanwhile, the English Medium schools in the Sylhet city have already reopened and are holding classes. Academic activities are also going on in some privately run schools in the city, but classes in government schools are not being held for a long time, said sources.
The headmistress of Agrogami Government Girls’ High School in Zindabazar area, said that the attendance of students on hartal days was very low compared to regular days. ‘Moreover, the SSC examinations are being held in my school. The academic activities will resume in full swing from March 10,’ she added.
Esrael Ahmed Headmaster of Nosibakhatun high School said, ‘The students do not come to school on hartal days. It is also a hassle to change the seat-plan of the ongoing SSC examinations for conducting regular classes.’
‘I am constantly in fear and I can hardly rest when my son goes out. What if he becomes a victim of arson attack on his way to school,’ asked Selim Ahmed whose son reads in class five at Durgakuma Govt Primary School in the city.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director Sylhet of Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education said, ‘SSC examinations are going in many educational institutes in the city.
On February 26, we, however, officially directed the schools to continue the academic activities during the gaps of the SSC examinations.’
‘We have reports that the schools at upazila level are functioning fairly well due to the directive. While the teachers remain present at schools on hartal days, many students are not attending the schools,’ he added.
‘The parents and guardians are frightened to send their children to schools due the countrywide political unrest.
However, the situation will normalise within a couple of days,’ hoped the official.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md. Shohidul Islam said, ‘It is a common scene that the students do not come to schools during hartal days. We have verbally directed the schools in Sylhet to continue academic activities on hartal days as parents urged us in this regard.’
The school authorities have expressed their concern as to who would take responsibility if a student gets injured in attack while coming to schools, he added.
‘We have assured the school authorities that they need not worry as the situation is now normal. We also urge the guardians and parents to send their children to schools considering their future academic career. We have taken all necessary measures to ensure safety of the people,’ assured the Sylhet DC.
SMP Commissioner Kamrul Ahsan said that they undertook special security measures for security of the city dwellers. ‘The parents should not be concerned over sending their children to schools as we are keeping a vigil over the educational institutes in the city,’ said the police commissioner.