Jhalakathi Oct 02, V7N - The No. 121 Nij Galua Late Fazlur Rahman Government Primary School in Rajapur, Jhalkathi, has buildings and teachers but no students. According to observations, no students were present, while five teachers were found conversing in the office room. Locals reported that although the school exists on paper, in practice, it does not function as an educational institution since there are teachers but no students attending regularly. The teachers reportedly arrive in the morning but leave before the end of the school day.

During school audits, students from the neighboring Siratun Nabi (PBUH) Model Madrasa and Orphanage were allegedly brought in and claimed as students of the primary school. The headmaster reported 51 students in the register, while 54 names appeared in the classroom attendance book. Despite the attendance book showing 100% attendance daily for stipends, only 3 to 5 students reportedly attend the school regularly.

Assistant teacher Mosa Fatima Begum acknowledged that although a few students come regularly, the attendance book reflects the presence of all students to qualify for stipends. She could not explain why the attendance was misrepresented and mentioned that they mark attendance during the tiffin break, even when students are absent. She added that many students attend the Noorani Madrasa instead, and the teachers cannot force them to come to school.

Maulana Md. Jasim Uddin, the headmaster of the Siratun Nabi (PBUH) Model Madrasa and Orphanage, denied that any students from the primary school study at his institution. He stated that during audits, his madrasa's students were presented as students of the government primary school.

The head teacher of the primary school, Azam Khan, avoided addressing the issue directly on camera but admitted that the school's students attend the neighboring Noorani Madrasa to study Arabic, which explains their absence from the school.

Rajapur Upazila Education Officer Md. Akter Hossain confirmed the low number of students in the school and mentioned that there are similar cases in the upazila. He stated that the issue has been reported to higher authorities and that the school may be recommended for closure in the future.

END/AI/RH/