Cut dropout to achieve literacy target
Speakers tell discussion
Increasing literacy rate cannot be achieved with just bringing hundred percent children to school; instead, the high dropout rate should be reduced, speakers said at the ten-year anniversary programme of Volunteers Association for Bangladesh (VAB) yesterday.
Speakers identified poverty as the main reason behind huge dropout rate, which now stands at 48 percent at the primary level and 42 percent at high school level. Communal spirit of volunteerism can help provide education for the destitute, they added.
VAB President Dr AT Rafiqur Rahman said inability to pay school expenses, poor quality of teaching and limited educational facilities are the biggest challenge in the education sector in rural Bangladesh. VAB aims at addressing these challenges, he added.
Run by Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRB) in the United States VAB is currently helping over 17, 000 children of landless farmers all over the country. The NRB established 32 schools in 15 districts.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid in his speech as the chief guest said the government alone cannot achieve the goal. Volunteerism by establishing schools and colleges in every district will eventually benefit the entire nation, he said.
Stressing the need for creating experienced teachers, he said without motivation and proper incentive talented people do not show interest in teaching.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman said there was a time when philanthropists used to build schools and colleges. Today the society is full of people interested only in personal gain, he added.
VAB Advisory Board Chairman Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury, VAB Country Director Dr Jasimuz Zaman, and Principal Hamida Ali also spoke.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
Railway’s east zone reels from manpower crisis
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Transport
Boy found dead in Ctg monastery
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Crime & Justice
Eid joy marred by tragedy
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Bangladesh
Sitakunda Blast: Who started the fire?
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Accidents & Fires
Barred from rally at Suhrawardy, BNP to hold protest across country tomorrow
13 November 2016, 07:30 AM
Politics
Comments