Photo: BSS

CUMILLA, April 29, 2026 (BSS) - A wave of criticism swept across the country after SSC candidates were forced to sit for exams in waterlogged classrooms at the historic Ishwar Pathshala (High School) centre in Cumilla. 

Following widespread media coverage, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directly intervened and instructed authorities to take immediate action, prompting a rapid response from the city corporation.

The incident occurred on Tuesday when students at the Ishwar Pathshala centre faced severe difficulties entering exam rooms during heavy rainfall. 

Images and reports of students sitting for their English second paper exam in flooded classrooms quickly gained national attention, bringing the matter to the Prime Minister's notice.

Acting on PM's directive, Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla (Tipu) visited the site this (Wednesday) morning. During the inspection, he assessed the causes of the waterlogging alongside engineers and relevant officials. 

Acting Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Mamun and other departmental officers were also present.

Speaking after the visit, Molla said the issue is being addressed with utmost importance following the PM's instructions. 

He confirmed that both immediate and long-term measures have been initiated. Main drainage canals in the city had become clogged due to waste and illegal obstructions, hindering water flow. The drive was conducted overnight to remove these blockages.

He added that key drainage channels, including Guingajuri canal, have been cleared, already improving the situation. Despite rainfall on Wednesday morning, no significant waterlogging was reported across the city, and water drained quickly.

During the visit, the administrator noted visible improvement in the Ishwar Pathshala area, stating that waterlogging had been largely brought under control compared to the previous day.

Established in 1914 by philanthropist Mahesh Chandra Bhattacharya, Ishwar Pathshala is one of the Cumilla's oldest educational institutions. 

A total of 608 students are sitting for the ongoing SSC examinations at this centre. Of them, 216 candidates were assigned to four rooms in an old single-storey tin-shed building.

On Tuesday, during the English second paper exam, sudden heavy rain caused water to enter the building, forcing many students to continue their exams while sitting in water. 

Some lifted their feet onto benches, while others kept their feet submerged. Due to the ongoing exam, authorities said it was not possible to relocate the students immediately.

Following the incident, it has been decided to shift students from the affected four rooms to alternative locations. Preparations are underway to conduct upcoming exams in six rooms of a nearby six-storey building.

Headmaster Sudhangshu Kumar Majumdar said there were no issues at the beginning of the exam, but conditions worsened as rainwater accumulated. 

He noted that the old building has long suffered from waterlogging problems.

According to city corporation sources, most of the city's water is drained through key canals, including the Noagaon Railgate-Guingajuri canal point, Sultanpur canal, Tamzid Filling Station adjacent canal, and Racecourse canal. Waste dumping had severely obstructed water flow in these channels for a long time.

Authorities confirmed that these canals have now been urgently cleared. Plans are also in place to gradually renovate and clean other canals and drains across the city.

Despite the situation was improved following swift administrative intervention, guardians and civil society have called for a permanent solution to prevent such incidents in the future.