KONGKON KARMAKER

Phulbari Government College remains neglected for over 32 years since its nationalization in 1992.

Despite the introduction of honours courses in six disciplines, the college continues to struggle due to absence of master’s programmes, insufficient classrooms and lack of residential facilities for students.

The college has been struggling significantly since its establishment in 1963, with 26 out of the 52 teaching positions still remain vacant, which includes vital posts like associate professors, assistant professors and librarians.

Female students, in particular, suffer most due to lack of dormitory support and most of them are compelled to reside in rented accommodations far from the institution.

Currently, 1,901 students are enrolled in honours programmes across six departments, while 960 are pursuing degree programmes.

However, lack of master’s courses forces many graduates to seek higher education elsewhere.

“Every year, hundreds of honours graduates are left with no option but to move to other institutions to pursue their postgraduate degrees,” said Mohammad Ali, a former student of the college.

“If master’s courses were available here, I could stay at home and continue my education,” said Sumi Akhter, an honours student.

Like her several other students of the institution said lack of higher education facilities locally disrupts academic progress of many meritorious students.

Moreover, as the lone dormitory for male students can only accommodate 80 to 85 students, many of them are forced to commute long distances to go to and from the institution.

While talking, Professor Altaf Hossain, principal of the college, said introducing master’s programmes and building residential facilities for students and teachers will make higher education accessible to the local community.

Established nearly 62 years ago, the college was once a hub of education for students from adjacent upazilas like Nawabganj and Parbatipur.

However, the institution has witnessed a decline in both academic and extracurricular activities since its nationalisation over three decades ago.

Local residents as well as current and former students urge the government to take immediate measures to restore the college’s potential.

Contacted, Saiful Islam Jewel, a social worker in Phulbari upazila, said he hope that the government will respond promptly to the plight of the students and the institution, paving the way for a brighter academic future.