After 58 yrs, Ctg getting two new govt schools

Highlights

•  Two new public schools opening
• First in nearly six decades
• Located in Patenga, Chattogram
• Academic activities begin 2026
• Each school holds 1,400 students
• Modern facilities and ICT labs
• Construction near completion 202

For the first time in nearly six decades, the government is set to open two new public school and college institutions in Chattogram city. 

Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern facilities, the two govt institutions are expected to commence academic activities in 2026.

The two schools are the Shah Amanat International Airport Government School and College and Masterda Surya Sen Government School and College in the East and North Patenga areas, respectively.

Each institution will be housed in a 10-storey building and accommodate approximately 1,400 students, offering a significant boost to the city's public education infrastructure. 

The last government secondary school was set up in Chattogram by the then government in 1967. Since then, only two private schools were nationalised in 1974 and 2017 respectively, but no new schools were established under direct government initiative.

The schools are part of the "Establishment of 9 Secondary Schools Project", approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) in 2018, after a long-standing demand and wait by city residents. 

With a total allocation of Tk464 crore, the project aims to construct new secondary schools in several districts, including Chattogram, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Joypurhat, and Sreemangal of Moulvibazar.

Project officials said while the initiative began in 2018, land acquisition delays and bureaucratic complications forced the government to extend the project's timeline three times.

It was difficult to find at least two acres of land together in the city, so the site was shifted to the southern end in Patenga, said officials concerned.

Despite the hurdles, the two institutions now stand close to completion. "There had been no government school in the Patenga area of the city until now," said Chattogram District Education Officer Uttam Khisha, adding that the schools were designed to meet the long-standing educational needs of local residents.

Project Director Rayhana Taslim confirmed that construction is at its final stage and all work is expected to conclude this year.

"Academic activities will begin next year. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education has already started preparations," she said.

Both school and colleges will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, including multimedia classrooms, ICT labs, science labs, libraries, seminar halls, multipurpose spaces, prayer rooms, medical and mid-day meal rooms. 

Additional amenities such as internet access, projectors, and sports equipment are also planned to ensure a modern and comprehensive learning environment.