MOULAVIBAZAR, Apr : 3 At least 60 per cent government primary schools In the district are facing problems to accommodate the increasing number of students, reports UNB.

Most of the schools are in dilapidated condition and shortage of teachers, benches and other necessary appliances have made the situation worse.

According to official sources, about two lakh students are now studying in about 700 government and non-govern-ment primary schools in the district. Everyday the number of students are increasing.

Many schools damaged by natural calamities such as recurrent floods, cyclones and storms during the last few years are yet to be repaired. A good number of schools are holding classes In the open causing enormous problems to both the teachers and students.

Many dilapidated schools were handed over to Facilities Department but nothing has yet been done in this regard. In many schools students are to sit on mats due to lack of benches and teachers are facing problems in taking classes due shortage of chalk, dusters and blackboards.

About 80 per cent of the schools have no playground for the students and due to inadequate water supply system students are to take pond water causing health hazards.

The guardians alleged that many teachers are engaged in other jobs and they come to the schools once In a week to put their initial at the attendance register to draw their salary at the end of the month.

Local leaders have urged the authorities to look Into the matter and take necessary measures in this regard.

Another report from Nctrakona adds: Education of the students in the district for the new academic year Is being

hampered due to shortage of text books from class six to class nine.

The guardians alleged that some dishonest book traders taking advantage of the flaw In distribution system of the Text Book Board have been creating artificial scarcity to earn windfall profit.

The text books which are available in the market are also being sold at exorbitant prices causing problems to the poor students.

Due to scarcity of text books most of the students are to depend on note books which are readily available in book shops. As a result they acquire little knowledge on the subjects.

The government has Imposed ban on publishing and selling note books upto class eight. But publishing and selling of note books with the fictitious names go on unhindered.

While contacted some book traders said wrong distribution system and late delivery of the Text Book Board books are mainly responsible for the text book crisis. They also admitted that some book sellers are involved In creating artificial scarcity to earn maximum profit.