Students fear collapse as river threatens to swallow Feni school

Students and staff of Karim Ullah High School in Feni's Matubhuiyan Union under Daganbhuiyan Upazila are facing a growing crisis as relentless riverbank erosion threatens to swallow the school building, putting education in danger.

Built in 2016 with funding from the founder's sons, Tareque Mahtab Rahim and Javed Salam Rahim, the school, with 405 students and 13 teachers, now hangs precariously over the Katakhali River as heavy rainfall and rising water levels accelerate erosion along its banks.

A massive crack has appeared on the northern side of the structure, raising fears that the building could collapse at any moment.

The five-room building, which accommodates seventh-grade students, elective subjects for grades nine and 10, a library, and a prayer space for female students, has become unsafe due to the river's powerful current intensified by prolonged rainfall.

Cracks have also developed in the nearby Shaheed Minar structure, adding to the anxiety of the local community.

"We attend our group subject classes in that building. We are scared it might collapse into the river at any time. Authorities must act quickly to protect it," said Adnan Bin Alam, a 10th-grader. 

Parents are equally concerned, as Minal Das Gupta said, "We are in a state of constant anxiety. A major accident could happen if the building falls. If flooding occurs this year, the building could be completely lost."

Local resident Abul Kashem recalled past protective measures. "A few years ago, a grid wall was built by the district council to protect the erosion, but it is now gone due to the intense flow of water."

As Karim Ullah High School teeters on the edge of the Katakhali River, the community’s hopes rest on urgent intervention to safeguard both the building and the education of hundreds of students. Photo: UNB

School authorities have also raised an alarm.

"The building is extremely risky now. At any moment, it could collapse into the river. We have informed the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and the upazila secondary education officer," said Golam Basir Bhuiyan, the school's headmaster.

Main Uddin Azad, president of the school management committee, urged urgent government intervention, stating, "The current condition of the building is critical. Without a permanent riverbank protection project, future flooding could wash away more infrastructure. We are seeking urgent government support for the building's reconstruction."

Mohammad Ismail, the upazila secondary education officer, confirmed that classes in the building have been suspended. "Upon receiving the news, I visited the school and observed the cracks caused by erosion. The building is too risky for use. We have issued a directive to suspend classes in that structure and have informed higher authorities."

Md Fuad Hasan, sub-assistant engineer at the Bangladesh Water Development Board's Feni office, said, "We have visited the erosion site and assessed the damage. A World Bank-funded riverbank protection project under our department has been approved, and work is expected to begin soon. This will help control the erosion."

UNO Md Shahidul Islam said, "The issue has been reported to higher authorities and discussions are underway with the Water Development Board to take necessary action to protect the school."

As Karim Ullah High School teeters on the edge of the Katakhali River, the community's hopes rest on urgent intervention to safeguard both the building and the education of hundreds of students.