The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rawnak Abid

Even though Ruby Akhter finds it difficult to run her family with the small income of her CNG mechanic husband, she dreams of a bright future for her son. Though free, she does not like to send her kid to any government primary school.

Despite the hardship, the poor couple got their son Mohammad Yasin, 8, admited into a private primary school. They feel private schools offer beter education than government ones.

"We've chosen the private school so that our son have a beter education," says Ruby, a resident of Dhaka City's Nayatola area. "There is no good academic environment in government schools. Teachers are not atentive to their pupils and they are less qualified than private school teachers."

This couple is not alone. There are many parents who would agree with them. A guardian of Yasin's classmate says, "If you want your child to have a beter education, government school is not the right place. The standard of education is not good over there. This is the age of competition, but there is no competition in government schools."

He goes on: "Government school teachers are not sincere in their classes. Most of the guardians of government primary school students are illiterate. So, teachers can afford not to have any accountability. But, things are different in private schools. They are atentive to their pupils lest they lose their reputation. When it comes to English, they offer much beter education."

While visiting some government primary schools in the capital, it was found that the atmosphere in most of the schools is dirty and unhealthy. The number of toilets for the students is inadequate and they are dirty. Even, there are hardly any facilities for sports.

Official statistics show that there are 240 government primary schools in Dhaka while the number of private primary schools stands at about 1,500. According to information received from the Bangladesh Kindergarten Association, 90 percent of class I students in the capital are in private schools.

Rehana Begum, acting head teacher of Nayatola Government Primary School, does not agree with the notion that private schools provide beter education. "It's like a fashion to send children to private schools. Compared to the education offered by mushrooming private schools, the education in government ones is much beter."

Why are the children of lower middle class families unwilling to go to government schools? Some teachers say, "The government itself is mainly responsible for this as government high schools get much more its atention than the primary ones."

Rehana Begum says, "Government fund for a primary school is not enough to run it properly. There is no guard or peon in a school. There is always a lack of teachers. Besides, there is a new rule that classrooms and toilets have to be cleaned by the students of class five."

She questions whether the teachers will remain busy cleaning up classrooms and toilets by the students or concentrate on teaching. "There is nothing like that in private schools. They are very flashy."

Government primary schools are public property. Everyone has equal right over there. Although these schools have been set up with public money, few children go there. Despite the opportunity to get free education, people are spending money on educate of their kids in private schools. As a result, huge public money is being misused.

During visits to some government and private schools it was found that those who bother litle about money are interested to send their kids to private schools. While the renowned schools are holding two shifts due to mounting pressure of students, the government primary schools are not geting enough students. But, the picture is quite different in villages where guardians prefer government schools.

Government primary schools use the textbooks published by the boards. But, the books are different in private schools. Rehana Begum thinks if wordbook, Bangla and English grammars and storybook can be included in the syllabus, the government primary school students will be able to survive in the competition with the students of renowned private schools. And, children from all classes will lean towards government schools.

Academics and guardians are of the opinion that both government and private schools should have the identical syllabus. There should be coordination between government and private education systems. They demand a healthy environment and quality education.

Asked about the appalling state of government primary schools in Dhaka, officials at the Education Department declined to make any comment

Alamgir Hossain, associate professor of Preprimary and Primary Education Department of Dhaka University's Education Faculty, says, "Private schools atract parents mainly due to the standard of education and environment They offer modern education and nice environment that cannot be expected from government schools. Besides, the government school teachers lack qualification, experience and adequate training."

"It's the responsibility of the school authorities to ensure a good atmosphere," He says. "It's not right to overburden students with so many books. If the teachers teach responsibly, the books stipulated by the Textbook Board are enough for good education."

Siddiqur Rahman, president of Dhaka City Primary Teachers' Association and an activist of Good Education Movement, says, "The government will have to take the responsibility for the current situation. Unlike in the past, the government has litle emphasis on primary schools."

He feels if everyone concerned discharges his or her responsibility there will be a positive impact on teachers and students of government primary schools. Alongside accountability, the sincerity of teachers and officials are equally important for the development of primary education.

"Everyone will have to come forward to improve the standard of education in government primary schools and bring back their acceptability. But it's the government that will have to play the leading role. If necessary, the experience of the developed countries can be utilised. Maybe, by doing this, the existing problems could be solved in near future."