Sport stops at Gaibandha school as playground leased for rice cultivation

OUR CORRESPONDENT
GAIBANDHA, Sept 27: Students of Ramdev Dwi-Mukhi High School (Ramdev B.L. High School) in Gaibandha's Sundarganj Upazila are unable to play any sport in the field of their school for several years as it was first occupied by a post office and then leased to a local influential by the headmaster for paddy cultivation.
Currently, about 400 students are studying in the school from grade 6 to ten and during class breaks they have to spend their time either in the classrooms or at the veranda. In front of the new one-storey building of the school, paddy seedlings have sprouted in a three and a half bigha (over one acre) of land, where once students played various sport, including football.
The school, established in 1966 in the Ramdev village of Bamondanga Union of Sundarganj Upazila, is on 1.5 acres of land.
Locals alleged that the school's headmaster Shafiqul Islam Basunia leased the field to the local influential Shahin Mia for personal gain.
Since joining in 2009, allegations of various irregularities and corruption have surfaced against the headmaster, which include making a relative the president of the school's managing committee, financial transactions in the appointment of teachers and selling a centenary tree. The headmaster also took initiatives to remove the post office, which was on the school grounds.
Despite written complaints regarding the irregularities, the administration is yet to take any action, which stirred anger among the locals.
The school's assistant headmaster, Badiyar Rahman, admitted that students have been suffering as they are unable to play in the field.
Headmaster Shafiqul Islam could not be reached for a comment over the phone.
H. M. Mahabubul Islam, acting secondary education officer of Sundarganj Upazila, said a three-member investigation committee has already visited the field and the school. Students, guardians and others among the locals gave oral and written statements. A report will be submitted after the investigation is completed.
Sundarganj Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Raj Kumar Biswas said necessary actions will be taken against the accused headmaster after receiving the investigation report.
Earlier, students, guardians and locals formed a human chain and protested that the field be cleared and actions taken against the headmaster.
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