Dhaka, Jan. 6 -- Every day, pupils at Purandia Government Primary School in Narsingdi's Shibpur Upazila arrive for lessons only to find the air thick with smoke.

Next to the school's boundary wall stands a battery manufacturing plant operated by Asia Car BD Limited. Inside the factory, old batteries are broken apart and burnt to extract lead, releasing toxic fumes that drift into classrooms and nearby homes.

Students complain of burning eyes and difficulty breathing. Teachers say lessons are often disrupted as the smoke spreads across the school grounds.

"Toxic fumes frequently engulfs the entire school," said Sajib Mia, an assistant teacher.

"Teachers and students are facing serious health risks. Many children can't breathe properly....