Students of Dakkhin-Purbo Tarabunia Primary School in Rajapur upazila of the district are taking the second term examinations under a canopy as their school buildings have been declared abandoned.

"The canopy has been temporarily put up on a road on the bank of a canal near the school for holding the exams, but the exams stop as soon as it starts raining," said Mithu Rani Adhikari, headmistress in charge of the school.

The school was established in 1940 with two buildings, she said, adding that one building was declared abandoned in 1990s and the other recently.

The exams started on August 2, and the school authorities were compelled to hold them under the canopy.

"We have to stop the exams when it rains," teachers of the school said.

As their school houses have become too risky for use. PHOTO: STAR

"We get wet in the rain when we attend classes outside. We stopped coming to school but we are bound to sit for exams even if it rains," said Tanima, a student of Class V. 

"We repeatedly requested the concerned authorities in writing to construct a new schoolhouse, but to no effect," said the teachers.

"I will not send my child to the school after the examination if it stays in this condition," said a guardian of a student.

Contacted, Upazila Education Officer Dulal Krishna Halder, said he had informed the higher authorities about the condition of the school. "I am thinking of shifting the classes to another place," the education officer said.