Student presence drops to near zero, raises concern 

The Kahalgaon Daskin Government Primary School in Phulbaria Upazila, Mymensingh, presents a stark reality where official records show 64 students, yet the actual attendance stands near zero, prompting worries about the school's functionality and educational impact. 

With 4 designated teachers, only two are actively present, leading to a significant decline in student enrollment due to the lack of educational activities.

In a recent visit to the institution, it was discovered that while there are four appointed teachers, only two are actively engaged in teaching. The school's desolation was further highlighted by the absence of any enrolled students, who have sought education elsewhere due to the lack of academic opportunities.

The plight of Kahalgaon South Government Primary School was exacerbated by its recent reopening after a prolonged closure attributed to sweltering heat. On the day preceding its shutdown, only two teachers were found present, with one on maternity leave and another taking a day off. Residents have voiced grievances about the irregular attendance of teachers, particularly citing the absence of a staff member named Mazaharul Islam Iqbal.

The few remaining students, comprising three in the third-grade second shift, were relegated to a veranda hut, enduring stifling conditions exacerbated by the lack of proper ventilation. With only eight students scattered across three classes, the school's educational output is alarmingly minimal.

Shilpi Akhtar, the acting head teacher, declined to comment on the unsatisfactory state of the school's infrastructure, while residents lamented the absence of any educational activities and irregular teacher attendance. Many students have sought alternative educational avenues due to the arbitrary closure and lack of conducive learning environments.

Assistant Primary Education Officer Abul Kalam Azad, when questioned about the situation, failed to provide concrete information regarding stipend distribution and attempted to attribute the low attendance to heatstroke, despite students' consistent presence even during winter months. The revelation underscores the systemic challenges plaguing educational institutions in rural areas, necessitating urgent intervention to ensure equitable access to quality education for all.