ANWARUL HAIDAR, Noakhali

Noakhali Government Women’s College has long been running academic activities in dilapidated buildings that are crumbling due to years of wear and a lack of renovation.

As a result, more than 7,000 female students of the college are attending classes at grave risk.

Established in 1970 and nationalised in 1981, the college, located on around five acres of land east of the Noakhali Circuit House, offers higher secondary, degree (pass), and honours courses in seven subjects.

Currently, there are over 3,000 students at the HSC level and more than 4,000 enrolled in degree (pass) and honours courses.

Even five decades after its inception, the institution lacks adequate administrative and academic buildings, manpower, teachers, furniture, transport facilities, housing, a modern library, and a secure campus with a proper learning environment.

Of the three multi-storey buildings and one semi-permanent structure on the campus, three have been identified as risky by the Education Engineering Department. Yet, teachers and students are forced to continue classes in these buildings in constant fear.

They demanded that the college authorities take steps to demolish the vulnerable structures and construct new academic buildings.

Khadija Afrin Riya, a first-year HSC student, said plaster regularly falls from the ceiling of their classroom.

“We attend classes in fear of the ceiling collapsing at any time,” she said.

Prof Samsur Rahman Mohan, head of the management department, said almost all the buildings are hazardous.

Students at the lone female dormitory said although there are two residential buildings, one was declared abandoned years ago due to extreme risk. Students from both dormitories are now crammed into a single building, severely affecting their accommodation and studies.

Umme Salma Rumaisa, a residential student, said, “Six of us share one room with only two beds and no study tables. Often, the ceiling fans malfunction, and we cannot concentrate due to the sweltering heat. Plaster often falls off the ceiling, exposing iron rods. We can’t sleep at night in fear of a possible disaster.”

Prof Abdul Matin Khandaker, acting principal of the college, said they have repeatedly sent letters to the relevant authorities to resolve the issues, but there has been no progress.

Khandaker Nazmul Islam, executive engineer of the Education Engineering Department in Noakhali, said a new six-storey building has recently been constructed and will be handed over to the college authorities by next month.

“We have written to the higher authorities regarding demolition of the remaining buildings and necessary repairs. Work will begin once the budget is allocated,” he said.