Photo: BSS

SUNAMGANJ, July 21, 2026 (BSS) - Sixteen boats have been allocated to 
government primary schools in the haor region of Madhyanagar upazila of the 
district to ensure safe and uninterrupted travel for students during the 
monsoon season.

Sunamganj, a district surrounded by vast haor wetlands, is witnessing the new 
initiative to improve this region's student's access to education. 

Sunamganj-1 parliamentary constituency, comprising Jamalganj, Tahirpur, 
Dharmapasha and Madhyanagar upazilas, is one of the largest constituencies in 
the Sylhet division. The majority of its residents live in haor areas and 
depend mainly on agriculture and fisheries for their livelihoods. 

The haor region contributes significantly to government revenue, but its 
unique geographical conditions create major challenges for education. The 
area experiences six months of monsoon and six months of dry season.

During the rainy season, low-lying areas become submerged, roads disappear 
under water and many schools face difficulties in maintaining regular 
activities due to transportation problems.

For children living in these wetlands, boats are often the only means of 
reaching educational institutions. Adverse weather conditions frequently 
prevent students from attending classes, increasing the risk of disruption to 
their education.

Considering these challenges, an initiative has been taken to provide boats 
to students of 16 government primary schools in Madhyanagar upazila. The move 
is expected to make students' journeys safer and help maintain continuity in 
education.

The boats were provided under the initiative of Sunamganj-1 constituency 
lawmaker Kamruzzaman Kamrul, with the aim of improving communication 
facilities for students in haor areas during the monsoon season.

The lawmaker said the boats were prepared with Taka 2.6 lakh allocated under 
the Rural Infrastructure Maintenance (TR) Programme for the 2025-26 fiscal 
year. The boats were formally handed over to head teachers and 
representatives of the selected schools.

The initiative is expected to bring positive changes to the education system 
in the haor region and increase student attendance.

The schools that received boats include Shaliani, Jamalpur, Kamaura, 
Khalishakanda, Golaikhali, Itauri, Dugnoi, Balarampur, Mashuakanda, 
Daulatpur, Doyadur Rahman, Alipur, Satu, Beersinghpara, Chapaiti and Ataisha 
Mashimpur Government Primary Schools.

Local resident Manik Mia said that student attendance often declines during 
the rainy season as many children cannot reach schools due to transportation 
difficulties. "This initiative will encourage students to attend classes 
regularly," he said.

Madhyanagar Upazila Education Officer Md Delwar Hossain said around 45 of the 
84 government primary schools in the upazila require students to travel by 
boat during the monsoon season. 

"These boats will ensure safe and hassle-free travel for students and help 
increase school attendance," he said.

Head teacher and Teachers' Association President Rama Ranjan Sarker said 
travelling to schools during the rainy season is extremely difficult. 

"When teachers come to school but find no students due to transportation 
problems, it becomes discouraging. This initiative is timely and has brought 
happiness among students and guardians," he added.

Lawmaker Kamruzzaman Kamrul said he himself is a child of the haor region and 
understands the importance of improving communication systems to expand 
education opportunities.

"Many students cannot attend school during the monsoon season due to a lack 
of boats. That is why boats have been provided to primary schools where 
students need to cross waterways to reach their institutions," he said.

He added that arrangements would gradually be made for other schools as well, 
and necessary steps would be taken to further improve education in the haor 
areas.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Minhajur Rahman told BSS that the boats would 
ensure safe and uninterrupted travel for students. The initiative would bring 
a new dimension to education in the haor region by reducing student 
absenteeism and dropout rates, he added.