Gurudaspur (Natore) Correspondent
A science building constructed just three years ago at Dhanura Girls’ High School in Gurudaspur, Natore, along with several tin-shed structures, has allegedly been sold without a tender.
The school authorities said the structures were sold to clear space for a new academic building. However, officials from JICA, the Upazila Secondary Education Office, the Education Engineering Department (EED) and the Upazila administration said they were unaware of any decision to remove the building.
During a visit to the school premises on Sunday (30 August) morning, no trace of the science building or tin sheds was found. The site had been cleared to the ground.
Locals alleged that demolishing the science building, constructed only three years ago, caused significant wastage of public funds. Around Tk 22 lakh was spent on its construction with JICA funding. The school authorities said the building and tin sheds were sold for Tk 80,000 to Tk 90,000.
Headteacher Md Alomgir Hossain said construction began in the 2020-21 financial year with an allocation of Tk 22 lakh from JICA and was completed in 2023.
“Later, the local committee and the school authorities decided to sell the building and tin sheds for Tk 80,000 to Tk 90,000. The new academic building could not have been approved unless the site was cleared. The decision was taken in the interest of the school,” he said.
However, JICA official Pradip Kumar Roy said, “Construction of the science building was completed only in 2023. The school authorities did not inform us about its sale or removal.”
Upazila Secondary Education Officer Selim Akhter said he was also unaware of the removal.
“Only recently, the UNO called me and assigned me to investigate the matter. I have issued a letter seeking an explanation from the headteacher. I will be able to provide details after the investigation,” he said.
Gurudaspur Education Sub-Assistant Engineer Mahbub Hossain said, “After the tender, the site was shown to us as vacant. We do not know whether there was any building or structure there before that.”
He said Tk 1 crore 35 lakh had been allocated for a new one-storey academic building with a four-storey foundation.
Meanwhile, the removal of the old building has created problems for students. Locals said they are now having classes in an open space beneath the primary school building.
On 26 August, local MP Abdul Aziz laid the foundation stone for the new academic building. He said he was unaware of the previous science building.
“I was not aware of the previous building. I will come to the area within a day or two and look into the matter,” he said.
Gurudaspur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fahmida Afroze said, “I am not aware of the removal of the building. The matter will be investigated and necessary legal action will be taken.”
Locals have questioned who authorised the demolition, under what process the structures were sold and where the proceeds were deposited. They have called for an investigation to determine whether government rules were followed. #EK
