Students of Kamol Narayan Government Primary School in Gobindaganj upazila of the district are attending classes under the open sky as the schoolhouse, which was damaged by a nor'wester two years ago, is yet to be repaired.

Students suffer under the scorching sun and classes are suspended when the sky becomes overcast, guardians said. "We don't know how long this situation will continue," they added.

"We have to attend classes under the scorching sun. Our clothes and books get wet when it rains. The schoolhouse must be repaired immediately," said Rasheda Khatun, a student of Class IV, and some of her classmates.

"We don't know why the schoolhouse has not been repaired despite repeated appeals from students and guardians. Education of the children is being seriously hampered due to this," said Rafiqul Islam, a guardian.

As the schoolhouse has remained without repair for the last two years, the attendance of students is falling. At present, the number of students is over 200, said Babul Akhter, headmaster of the school.

"We appealed several times to the authorities concerned to repair the damaged schoolhouse, but to no effect," he added.

"A proposal for renovation of the schoolhouse was sent to the higher authorities. Work will start on priority basis as soon as the fund is available," said Rownak Akhter Jahan, Gobindaganj upazila education officer.