Matluba from Bangladesh

After a basic layout of the school ground we have started work on site. As a result many decisions are taken on site, even in many cases working drawings are being prepared on site and given to the masons. Many decisions are being taken on site, sketches are being made instantly through discussion. Entry gate (bamboo construction) The small hills with slipper the 'macha' or platform for slipper? small house/ learning in groups slipper in adventure play area Followings are few working drawings prepared by Fuad and me for masons

I must say I am more confident about the work progress after four days. 6-7 persons (2 masons and the rest are day labours/ helpers) are working on the site everyday. So we are in good progress with the wet construction. We are hopeful about starting the dry construction pretty soon. Fuad has done a material survey in the nearby area to see what we can get and at how much of cost. I have contacted at several places for tire and bamboo. The materials will arrive at the site tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. The dry construction will begin hopefully at the end of this week. The progress of work at the end of 4th day is- Fig 01: Preparation taken for 1sft cc pavement Fig 02: Concrete works of small houses (learning in groups), piling of CC pillar done Fig 03: Now the contour has come to a good shape Fig 04: Brick soling done, 10" brick footing started

On 16 December 2014, we have met with the masons on the school ground for site marking. The head mason is a member of the School Managing Committee (SMC). Its wonderful that he is very enthusiastic about the work and he wants to render his service free of cost. I will have to pay the other masons and helpers. We could not make any contract as the rural masons are not used to this type of landscape work. They will work on daily basis, it would be a bit expensive but we dont have any other option. 16 December is our victory day, 43 years back we have become independent on this very day from Pakistan. It was not pre-determined, but this happened and I only noticed this co-incidence while writing this blog. This is the day when we started ground breaking in primary education (may be an over-ambitious statement) in Bangladesh with the help of some very inspirational young architects. We have marked the grounds and the masons started digging for foundation of the brick work. Simult...

Its Tulatuli Primary School After a rigorous (I will surely call it rigorous considering all the aspects we considered) selection process finally we all (me, Simon, Sarah and Eva) are unanimous about one school- Tulatuli Primary School. The reasons or the justifications for the selection of this school is- 1)       Communication is easy from the place of the researcher and also from any point where we can have the construction materials we would like to use. This is important as we are going to work here for a longer period of time. 2)       The school is typical of most of the primary schools in all its aspects- the number of teachers and students, the physical condition and design of the school buildings and also the size of the school ground. 3)       The teachers seem enthusiastic. The Headmaster is a young energetic person and I hope that he can motivate his co-teachers in this project.  The H...

25/10/2014 Rahimabad Primary School My Research assistant cum my nephew visited Rahimabad Primary School today as I was away to my capital city. The school ground is quite bigger 70mX42m approximately. It would be great to work in this school but the matter is its quite hectic to go to this school from my place and a bit expensive in respect to some other schools. I need to change CNG driven vehicle. As I am planning to work on longer terms, for almost a year I need some school close to the place I am residing.

18/10/2014 Today I visited three schools. First I went to Nobiabad Primary School which I had selected as the experimental school. And then I planned to go to Nazarpur Primary School in search of a control school. But unfortunately I found Nobiabad Primary School in a not-suitable condition. Nobiabad Primary School: I was delighted to learn that the Headmistress contacted the members of the school managing committee for a meeting. But when I reached school I found construction work is going on in one of the buildings and the construction materials are piled at one corner of the school ground. Some road work is going on and  a heavy vehicle with sand and bricks is passing through the schoolground and thereby destroying the grassy field. The Headmistress was very much enthusiastic but now she is quite sceptic mentioning about the play of politics regarding school works. I had already collected the exam score of the children of this school. Later work requires thoughtf...