C T Online Desk: Sarwar Jahan Jewel Mymensingh : Bagan Islamia Alim Madrasa is a traditional educational institution in Sadar Union of Trishal Upazila of Mymensingh. Established in 1955, it was recognized by the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board in 1965 and was registered as an MPO by the Ministry of Education in 1985. Despite its long history of 70 years, the institution has not been allotted a government multi-storey building even today.
Currently, the madrasa is being used as a public entrance examination center (center code 789, name-Trishal-2 Bagan Center). However, due to lack of sufficient classrooms, it is struggling to conduct regular classes and examinations. Students are struggling to continue their studies in the dilapidated building.
Students suffer due to infrastructure crisis : The madrasa currently has over 600 students studying. But they do not have adequate accommodation, classrooms, common rooms for girls, separate prayer and ablution rooms. The most critical condition is in the sanitation system, which has become a cause of serious suffering for the examination center and students.
Eighth grade students Halima Sultana, Faiza Khatun, Halima Khatun and Monowara Khatun said, ‘We girls do not get a separate common room or prayer space, although there is a common room and prayer space in a small area, it is not sufficient. The classrooms are also very small. Even then, we struggle to study.’ Water falls in light rain and water rises in the classrooms during heavy rain.
Umme Kulsoom, another student of the 6th grade, said that despite having quality teachers, they are losing the joy of studying due to the lack of infrastructure. There is no separate common room for girls. Due to the lack of infrastructure, they have to face difficulties even while going to class.
Another examinee, Abdullah, said, “Although our madrasa was established a long time ago, there is no multi-storey building. Some kind of teaching is going on in a tinset and dilapidated half-built building. If the government had provided a multi-storey building quickly, this problem would not have arisen.”
Sumaiya Akhter, a second-year Alim student, said, “We will finish the exams next year and go and get admitted to some other institution. But we don’t want our next brothers and sisters to suffer. A multi-storey building is essential.” “We will take part in the Alim exam next year. But since the building is dilapidated, there is no proper place to sit. It is difficult to maintain concentration.”
Another second-year Alim student, Sabiha and Afifa, said, “There is no separate common room for girls, which creates a very embarrassing situation. If the infrastructure is developed, the number of students will increase in the future and the quality of the results will also be better.”
Teachers’ demands : The 32 teachers and staff of the madrasa are working tirelessly for good results. But due to infrastructural limitations, many students who come for admission end up transferring to other institutions.
Madrasa principal Maulana Faizur Rahman said, “Since its establishment, no multi-storey building has been allocated by the Department of Education and Engineering. We have to teach in the old building. Also, since it is a public examination center, it is very difficult to arrange seats. Therefore, we are immediately drawing the government’s attention to a multi-storey building, adequate teaching rooms, accommodation facilities and hygienic sanitation facilities.”
Authority statement : Trishal Upazila Secondary Education Officer Mofizul Islam said, “I have visited the institution many times, the number of students is increasing due to the satisfactory examination results. We are aware of the infrastructural crisis of the madrasa, I hope the higher authorities will provide a multi-storey building soon.”
Upazila Executive Officer Abdullah Al Bakiul Bari said, ‘This is the only Alim Madrasa and public examination center in Trishal Sadar Union. Apart from the classroom crisis, sanitation and boundary walls also need to be renovated. We will take initiatives in coordination with the Department of Education and Engineering regarding infrastructure development as soon as possible. Initiatives will also be taken to solve other problems.
It is worth noting that; Bagan Islamia Alim Madrasa, which has built a tradition of 70 years, is still deprived of the touch of modern infrastructure. Teachers, students and guardians hope that the government will soon ensure a multi-storey building, sanitation system and adequate educational environment. Otherwise, the path of progress of the only Alim Madrasa in South Trishal will be blocked.
