Tangail Correspondent:

Teachers of various educational institutions located in remote Jamuna shoals of Tangail’s Bhuapur upazila have long been suffering from transportation issues.

Engine boats remain the only mode of transport for teachers to reach their workplaces from the mainland.

According to the Upazila Education Office, there are 32 primary schools, four high schools, and four madrasas in shoals under Gabsara and Arjuna unions.

Sumaiya Sultana Sweety, headteacher of Bhadrashimul Dakshin Para Government Primary School, said she has to take a boat, then a bike, and walk another 45 minutes to reach the school.

“I have to spend Tk 1,200 monthly for boat rentals and another Tk 300-600 for bikes. If the government could arrange transport for us or provide a transport allowance, it would ease our suffering,” she said.

Sirajul Islam, a teacher at Puro Ramail Government Primary School, said, “During monsoon, each boat ride takes around Tk 200, often enabling us to reach the school directly. However, the expenses rise during dry season when we also have to take motorbikes to reach the schools.”

Shahinur Islam, Bhuapur upazila assistant primary education officer, said, “There are around 90 primary school teachers in various schools who have to commute by boat on the Jamuna.”

“In some remote haor areas, teachers get 20 percent of their basic salary as special allowance for performing duties amid transport and communication inconveniences,” he added.

Sahab Uddin, Tangail’s district primary education officer, said, “The government provides special allowances to teachers in some haor, island and shoal areas. Unfortunately, we don’t have it here. If local teachers were given some allowances, they would benefit.”

The officials, however, could not say why teachers in Tangail’s shoal areas do not get the allocation.