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In Bangladesh's flood-prone regions, schools in boats keep learning afloat

Khaleej Times

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October 10, 2025

The school boats are equipped with benches, blackboards, and bookshelves; solar panels power lights and computers

In flood-prone regions of Bangladesh, solar-powered “floating schools” ensure children do not miss class when rising waters cut off roads and villages. One of them is 10-year-old Safikul Islam.

Each morning, he waits on the edge of his flooded village in Bhangura, western Bangladesh, for the solar-powered classroom that sails right to his doorstep.

His home lies deep in Chalan Beel, a sprawling 26-square-kilometre (10 sq miles) wetland where seasonal floods often cut off roads and submerge entire villages.

But for Islam and hundreds of other children, education floats.

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