Editorial
A commendable initiative
An eye opener, too
THE photo news carried on the front page of this paper yesterday says it all. It is a tell-tale depiction of state of affairs in perhaps many a primary school. The school is a one-staff enterprise in Manikganj town. It also shows the commitment and disposition of a lady with a missionary zeal to keep alight the cause of education.
In a way, it's only a tip of the ice berg. There must be more such schools, not necessarily a single handed venture, scattered in the nook and cranny of the country struggling to keep alive and serving. Many may have had a forced closure or are barely afloat crying for government or private sector attention.
The dismal state of affairs of our rural primary schools is nothing new. These schools are constantly under financial stress, shortages of teachers and support staff. Main
reasons being their poor pay, service conditions and lack of supervision.
The recruitment of teachers is cluttered with tedious procedures now that it has to go through a bureaucratic process instead of school committee appointing them. Some ways must be found to streamline the procedure.
Overall the Education Ministry has been doing quite a commendable job in managing the sector. It has been overseeing holding of public school exams and ensuring timely publication of books and reaching them to schools.
But situation in most primary schools in villages and districts, both government and non-government, is far from ideal. The problems have to be addressed sooner rather than later. District education offices should conduct a thorough survey of the conditions of schools all over the country and categorise them on a scale of needs for improvement and the urgency associated with these. It is only then that the ministry can come up with a development plan.
Since the government aims at universal primary education it should provide for employment and training of teachers' panels with an improved pay package and ensure education to those who are being deprived for no fault of theirs.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments