The New Nation - Internet Edition

Barisal Correspondent

Super Cyclone SIDR left a trail of destruction on the mass education sector in Barisal. Over 3000 primary schools were severely damaged, causing a loss of about Tk 98 crore.

"Infrastructurer of come 483 primary schools were completely destroyed and 2,777 others were partially damaged by the storm," official from the Directorate of Primary Education, Barisal Office told the New Nation.

According to him, Barguna district was the worst affected area in the division, where 129 schools were completely demolished by the storm and another 129 were severely damaged. This damage of property would cost Tk 26.11 crore. About 65 primary schools were also destroyed and 288 others were damaged in Patukhali district. Estimated loss in this district is almost Tk17.5 crore.

In Pirojpur district, infrastructure of 34 primary schools were destroyed and 367 others were damaged in the cyclone, causing over Tk 17.1 crore in loss. Buildings of another 27 primary schools have collapsed and 167 were damaged in Bhola district, worth about Tk 89 lakh.

In Jhalakati district, 11 primary school buildings were destroyed and 248 others were partially damaged. Estimated loss was Tk 2.27 crore.

Another Tk 6.15 crore was lost in Barisal district as 21 primary schools were totally damaged and 486 others were partially damaged.

Besides the government primary schools, about 147-registered private primary and 29 community primary schools were destroyed in the division only. Number of partially damaged schools in six districts under Barisal division is 921, which amounts to a loss of about Tk 29 crore.

Affected teachers of government and non-government primary schools have urged the government to build their schools, at least up to a usable condition. "We have to complete annual examination by December 2007. But classes of destroyed schools are being held under the open sky, to save students from a year loss," they said.