Viqarunnisa Noon School Picnic Bus Meets Accident

A picnic bus carrying SSC students of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in the capital met with an accident on Tuesday (31 March). At least one student was injured in the incident.

The accident occurred in the 300 Feet area of Dhaka while the bus was returning from a picnic in Purbachal. Over 2,000 students and all teachers from the school participated in the day-long picnic.

Parents have strongly criticised the timing of the event, pointing out that the SSC examination is scheduled to begin on 21 April — only about 20 days away. They argued that such a full-day picnic would disrupt the students’ study focus at this critical time.

In the accident, one girl student sustained a cut on her hand and injury to her eye.

Acting Principal Majeda Begum said: “We had planned the picnic long ago but could not organise it earlier due to the election and other reasons. We were reluctant to hold it as the exam is approaching, but the students insisted a lot. That is why we arranged it today.”

On social media, many parents expressed anger and concern. One parent wrote:

“This is Bangladesh’s renowned school, Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. We parents go crazy to get our daughters admitted here. After getting admission, only the parents and the child know how difficult the remaining journey is. The mismanagement in this school is beyond words… The SSC exam starts on 21 April — only 20 days left. Why arrange a picnic in March, just 20 days before the exam, when the fee was collected in December? The bus from the Bashundhara Day Branch, Section-C met with an accident at 300 Feet. If this had been a fatal accident, who would have taken responsibility? How would the children recover from broken hands, legs or eye injuries in these few days before the most important exam of their lives?”

The parent added that the bus was reportedly being driven recklessly from the beginning, and the accident happened on the return journey. They urged the school authorities to be more cautious in future.