Erosion by the river Teesta has posed threat to Old Shankardaho Government Primary School at Lakkhitari union of Gangachara upazila in Rangpur district during last one week. Due to erosion the educational institution is now on the verge of extinction.
Headmistress of the primary school Dil Shamima Nurin said, they are so much concerned about the fate of the institution. She said the school building was about one km away from the river last year but presently it is only around 14-15 feet away from the river. If the erosion continues for few more days, the entire school building may disappear into the river very soon, she apprehended.
The locals are trying to prevent erosion by dumping sand bags but despite these efforts erosion is continuing, she further said.
According to sources the school was established in 1942. Around 275 students and five teachers of the institution are passing days in uncertainty as it now is under the threat of extinction.
Expressing apprehension a number of students of the school said that they are not sure whether they will be able to continue their study or not.
Lakkhitari Union Parishad Chairman Abdullahel Hadi said if erosion continues the entire institution will go under water. They have informed the concerned authority of the matter, he further said.
Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Rangpur Mehedi Hasan said necessary steps have already been taken to save the school from erosion.