Rajshahi, Aug 20 (V7N) — Around 70 to 80 students in Mohanpur upazila of Rajshahi have been unable to attend school regularly for nearly five months after the only boat used to cross the Kompo River broke down.

Naogaon Government Primary School stands on one bank of the river, while the villages of Malidah and Gopalpur are located on the opposite bank. Although the school is only a few hundred yards from many students’ homes, the deep river stands between them.

Local residents said the Kompo River is around 32 feet deep. During the monsoon, increased water levels and strong currents make crossing the river particularly dangerous for young children.

The only available boat broke down several months ago, leaving students without a safe means of reaching school. Some residents have reportedly attempted to cross the river using makeshift rafts made from banana trees, while others have risked swimming across.

Parents said around 70 to 80 students from Malidah village have been unable to attend school regularly for approximately five months. They fear that prolonged absence could seriously disrupt their children’s education.

Naogaon Government Primary School was established in 1905. Local residents said the institution has served the community for more than a century, but no permanent bridge has ever been built over the river to provide safe access to the school.

According to locals, people can avoid the river by taking a route of around four kilometres, but the alternative road becomes difficult to use during the rainy season. As a result, students, farmers and patients are often forced to rely on boats.

To provide a temporary solution, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), with funding from the Annual Development Programme (ADP), previously built a bamboo footbridge over the river. However, part of the structure was submerged during the monsoon and the remaining section subsequently became unusable.

A parent from Malidah village, Asia Khatun, said her children were keen to continue their studies but faced serious risks while crossing the river.

“My children have had several frightening experiences while trying to cross the river. Some have even attempted to swim across. They have been unable to attend school properly for about five months, and we are extremely worried about their future,” she said.

Local residents said the school once had around 300 students, but enrolment has now fallen to about half that number. Many parents from villages across the river are reportedly reluctant to send their children to the school because of the long-standing transport difficulties.

A student, Tanvir, said crossing the river becomes frightening when the water level and current increase. He said schoolbooks and other belongings sometimes fall into the water while students are boarding or leaving the boat.

Acting Headteacher Nasima Begum said the school currently has around 150 students, most of whom come from Malidah village.

“The river is very deep, and rising water creates risks for students travelling to and from school. Teachers regularly advise students about safety and remain ready to assist them,” she said.

The transport problem affects not only students but also several thousand residents living on both banks of the river. Farmers face additional time and costs when transporting agricultural produce to markets, while taking patients to hospital becomes particularly difficult during the monsoon.

There is, however, a prospect of a permanent solution. A proposal to construct a bridge over the Kompo River connecting Malidah and Naogaon villages under Keshorhat Municipality was submitted by the upazila authorities and was approved in September 2025, according to the Upazila Engineering Office.

Officials said construction could take another two to three years to begin.

The Mohanpur Upazila Engineer said a bamboo footbridge had previously been constructed through the LGED under ADP funding as a temporary measure, but it became unusable after the river’s water level rose during the monsoon.

He said the approved bridge project would provide a permanent solution to the long-standing communication problem.

Zobaida Sultana, administrator of Keshorhat Municipality and Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Mohanpur Upazila, said the area faces similar disruptions every monsoon.

She said a larger boat had been provided last June to facilitate crossing, but it had since broken down. The administration would take steps to arrange another boat, she added.

She also said the authorities would inspect the area and provide necessary assistance if local residents took an initiative to construct a temporary footbridge.

END/MRA/SMA/