The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

"Twenty-five years ago, all of this started with a group of students seated around my dinner table in my living room. Bangladesh International Tutorial (BIT) is now 2,300 students strong, with a faculty of over 300. I prefer not to be nostalgic but it is hard for me not to pause for a moment and think about how all this started so long ago. In 1983, it was the government rule that any English medium school would have to incorporate the word 'Tutorial' into its name. As we started with a batch of mostly international students, we thought it apt to reflect that too. But I was still not satisfied. We all thought it essential to include 'Bangladesh' in our school identity in respect to our nation. Through time, this also led to BIT's motto, 'to serve the nation," said Lubna Choudhury, founder Principal of BIT and Chairperson of Red Brick School, while addressing the beginning of BIT, which has recently celebrated its 25 years.

The BIT started its journey with the aim of providing English medium education of the highest quality, in accordance with the London Board for the ordinary level and advanced level general certificate examinations.

Believing that education is fundamentally a social process, the Red Brick School, a sister concern of BIT, started its journey where academic success will be measured through preparation for the Cambridge general certificate of examinations, governed by the renowned University of Cambridge of England.

International architect Habib Fida Ali from Pakistan designed the school. It is situated on 15 bighas of land located at Plot No 13, Road No 1/A, Sector No 14 in Uttara Model Town and accommodates students from Playgroup to Grade-XII. The school is sub-divided into play, elementary, middle and high school sections. The school premises reflect the school's commitment to world-class education methods and services. The buildings feature an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,300 with air-conditioned class room and an extensive library. The education system also incorporates a wide ranging array of subjects from sports and dramatics to state-of-the-art computing and laboratory facilities, which complete the school's academic programme.

Lubna Choudhury said, "The motto of the Red Brick School is 'to strive and to seek' to incorporate its philosophy that teachers should work along with the children posing questions that encourage imaginative thinking, problem solving and decision-making. In a partnership of learning among students and teachers, purposeful experiences will foster responsibility, cooperation and active participation. The administration of the school believes in setting the highest standards for academic achievement, intellectual growth, ethical awareness and behaviour, sportsmanship, athletic endeavour and service to others."

The school year runs from August to July, which conforms to to an academic calendar maintained by all international schools and western universities.

"In Red Brick School, all subjects are taught in accordance with the Cambridge General Certificate Examinations (GCE) syllabi. Cambridge GCE has introduced new subject areas and qualifications and utilises efficient methods of delivery, assessment and administration. In future the school's plan is to introduce the International Baccalaureate (IB) system," said the Chairperson.

"English is the primary medium of instruction. Foreign language classes are essential for every student and currently we offer Chinese, French, Arabic and Bengali. Arabic, French and Chinese are optional from class VIII but Bengali is compulsory for all Bangladeshi children. The school has international calibre laboratory equipment to assist the completion of the O-Level and A-Level science syllabi, said Lubna.

A range of sports is offered on the school's spacious compound. The faculty and administration also regard debating, dramatics, poetry, art and dancing as a respite from strictly academic demands, she said and adding, "Our teachers are also coaches, counsellors and mentors who understand that education occurs all over the campus, not only in the classroom. We believe in educating 'the whole child' - academic, physical, personal and social growth - all that are necessary in ensuring that our students are well prepared for the 21st century. Currently, a music house is available for use and in the near future piano lessons will be offered after school for an additional cost. Private rehearsal rooms have also been designed with musical instruction such as sitar, violin and vocal training in mind."

School timing is from 9:00am to 12:00 noon for playgroup and nursery, 8:15am to 12:00 noon for KG-I, 8:15am to 1:40pm or 3:00pm to include extra curricular for KG-II, 8:15am to 3:30pm for Class-I to IV, 8:15am to 4:00pm for Class V to VIII and 8:15am to 4:00pm for Class IX to XII.

"We don’t think there is any necessity for students of the school to take lessons from private tutors. Because the longer school day reflects an additional time for the students to receive support with their homework assignments in 'prep time.' This should exclude the need for home tutors and coaching under normal circumstances, as their teachers are on hand for additional support. Therefore, extra curricular activities are also available," she also said.