A concerning situation is unfolding at the hostel of Govt Debendra College in Manikganj. The lack of adequate accommodation facilities is impeding the academic endeavors of numerous students, particularly those facing financial hardships. Photo: Messenger
Government Debendra College in Manikganj is facing an acute accommodation crisis, leaving students in dire straits.
The age-old educational institution, established in 1942 by Danbir Randaprasad Saha on a sprawling 23.79 acres of land, currently hosts 25,853 students across various disciplines.
The situation has escalated to a point where two hostels once available for students have been rendered unusable. The Alimul Haque dormitory, built in 1991, had to be closed in October 2018 due to issues stemming from the influx of outsiders engaging in drug-related and anti-social activities. The second dormitory, named Manjurul Alam Hostel, was tragically consumed by fire on March 2, 2009, and was subsequently dismantled.
This accommodation crisis is hitting students from impoverished regions particularly hard, including those from Charanchal of Daulatpur, Ghior, and Harirampur upazilas. Lacking on-campus living arrangements, these students are compelled to seek housing outside, incurring additional expenses and security concerns.
Currently boasting 17 Bachelor (Honours) and 14 Post Graduate subjects, the college has become a crucial educational hub. However, the absence of suitable accommodation facilities is hindering the academic pursuits of many students, especially those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Tushar Ahmed, an Honors 4th year student, shed light on the challenges, emphasising the financial burden placed on students forced to rent houses and messes in different parts of the city. Rakib Hasanat, a final year postgraduate student in the Physics Department, revealed that he and four others spend approximately 21 thousand rupees per month on food and accommodation, a cost that would have been significantly reduced if on-campus dormitories were available.
Zafar Iqbal, an assistant professor in the Bengali department, highlighted the impact on students from river erosion-prone areas who seek education at the college. He stressed that residential facilities would not only reduce financial burdens but also address security concerns and logistical hassles.
The call to address this pressing issue has gained momentum, with both ordinary students and leaders of the student union demanding urgent action. In 2019, a memorandum was submitted to the college authorities by the District Students' Union, urging the reopening of the Alimul Haque hostel and the construction of the Manjurul Alam hostel to alleviate the housing crisis.
In response to the growing concern, Government Debendra College Principal Dr. Rezaul Karim acknowledged the necessity of dormitories and reported the matter to the District Education and Engineering Department. Authorities from the District Education and Engineering Directorate assured that necessary allocations would be made to provide the required furniture and address the accommodation crisis plaguing the institution.
Messenger/Fameema
