Move for good primary education in Satkhira

A pre-primary school in Alaipur in Kalaroa upazila, run by SUS, a local NGO.. PHOTO: STAR

The program is participatory and pro-poor. The five-year plan in Kalaroa, Assassuni and Sadar upazilas is financed by an international NGO--Stroam Foundationof Norway to promote quality primary education and ensure primary education for all by 2010.

The programme followed a survey done by SUS in the three upazilas to identify hindrances to quality primary education.

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The survey revealed that 55.84 percent of the students are irregular with a dropout of 20.7 per cent, 32 per cent complete primary education without any knowledge about arithmetic and 6.2 per cent of children in the areas are out of schooling.

Poverty, lack of awareness among guardians and inadequate trained teachers at schools are the main reasons, the survey revealed.

To address the problems, SUS arranged group meetings with guardians and school managing committees to create awareness about the need for good primary education. It also trained teachers so that they can impart good education.

The NGO also appointed 32 'community teachers' in 14 government primary schools where primary education had been facing set back due to lack of teachers.

It has set up six pre- primary schools in the three upazilas where children above 5 play, have fun, and learn reading and writing, manners and cleanliness.

The approach has yielded positive results as children are now attracted to schools and their guardians are also aware. The enrolment will reach 100 per dent soon and the dropout rate will decrease, officials of the NGO and some guardians said while talking tot this correspondent on Saturday.