Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara reopened on Sunday (August 3), 12 days after a tragic crash involving an Air Force fighter jet. Some students from grades nine to twelve, along with a few guardians, visited the campus. However, the usual buzz and liveliness were absent—a somber silence prevailed.

Though the campus reopened, no academic classes were held. A memorial and prayer session took place around 11:00 am.

A visit to the institution in the morning revealed that students and guardians started arriving at the campus from 9:00 am. Before heading to the academic building, many students were seen pausing to look at the building damaged in the crash.

Abdullah Al Mamun, a tenth-grade student, said, “A younger boy from my neighborhood used to attend classes here. His mother sent him with me because I’m older and could look after him. He’s now in the burn unit and still not well. Being here constantly reminds me of him.”

Nawroz Afrin, a twelfth-grade student, shared, “I was scared to come to college. But I still came—my mother accompanied me. The faces of those little kids keep flashing in my mind. I feel like crying. I never imagined we would lose them like this. It’s hard to process how everything changed so suddenly.”

Shah Bulbul, Public Relations Officer of Milestone College, said, “We decided to reopen the campus on a limited scale so students can gradually return to normal life. Students from grades nine to twelve will have the chance to interact with teachers and spend time with friends. This is an important step toward emotional healing.”

He added that a prayer session was held and a medical camp—set up with assistance from the Air Force—is currently operating on campus. The camp provides physical and mental health consultations for students. Teachers are also offering ongoing counseling, including personal one-on-one sessions for those in need.

“Mutual compassion and humanity among students, guardians, and teachers will become a vital strength for the college in this time of crisis,” he expressed hopefully.