Milestone School and College reopened partially on Sunday, 12 days after a BAF fighter jet crashed into a school building, killing at least 35 people, many of them children.
The institution has opened its doors again, but the trauma continues to haunt many students.
The day began at 9:00am with a memorial service held to commemorate the lives lost in the crash. Teachers, parents, students, and local representatives were present. A minute of silence was observed to pay tribute to the deceased.
The milestone administration stated that no classes or exams have resumed yet. The limited reopening is part of a gradual process aimed at restoring a sense of normalcy and supporting students' mental well-being.
Returning is an ordeal
Mohammad Shamim, a parent, said, "My daughter still can't sleep at night. This morning, when we asked her to go to college, she broke down in tears. We want the authorities to prioritise safety above everything else."
Another parent added, "My son came to college but refused to enter the classroom. It took a lot of convincing."
Russell, a student of class seven, echoed these fears.
"I'm scared to walk past the building. The day of the crash still flashes before my eyes," he said.
A sombre morning
Many parents accompanied their children to campus, visibly anxious and unnerved. Several said it took a lot of effort and emotional preparation to bring their children back.
From early morning, students started arriving on campus—but the day lacked the usual hustle of a typical school day. Instead of the familiar commotion and smiles, faces were stamped with anxiety, silence, and deep sorrow. Conversations were sparse; there was no silly grin on faces or twinkle in the eyes; the air was heavy with suppressed grief.
Shah Bulbul, public relations officer at the institution, told Stream: "It's not just about reopening a school; the most urgent task now is helping students gradually return to normal life. This would help those who have experienced trauma regain their mental strength."
He added that Milestone School and College has launched a special mental health counselling service. Additionally, the Bangladesh Air Force has set up a temporary medical camp on campus to provide both physical and psychological support to students.
Why the rush to reopen?
When asked why the institution reopened so soon, Shah Bulbul said, "Keeping students confined or in fear for too long can have severe consequences on their mental health. That's why we're taking gradual steps to go back to classes. Although there are no classes today, student presence alone has helped create a compassionate environment."
Moreover, the school authorities stated that while ensuring students' safety is a priority, maintaining their mental wellbeing has also become a significant challenge.
The Milestone administration added that they will monitor the situation over the coming week without fully resuming classes. Future decisions will be taken in accordance with the students' emotional readiness, feedback from parents, and the progress of security measures implemented by local authorities.
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