The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A meeting between the government and leaders of primary teachers to reach an understanding over the issue of proposed BRAC-sponsored training programme at more than 3,000 primary schools in 20 upazilas of the country failed yesterday as the teachers' leaders strongly opposed BRAC's involvement in the primary education.

Adviser for Primary and Mass Education Rasheda K Chowdhury sat with the leaders of eight different primary teachers associations at her ministry's conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday to reach a consensus on the issue of BRAC-sponsored training for primary teachers.

The talks were subsequently failed as the leaders of the teachers clearly asserted that they would not accept any move by the government to involve BRAC in providing training to primary teachers.

They also demanded the cancellation of the government's move to involve BRAC for providing training to primary teachers.

However, Rasheda K Chowdhury said she would again hold talks with the leaders of primary teachers over the issue.

She said BRAC would not do anything independently. Rather, BRAC trainers would train the primary teachers in consultation of the Thana Education Officers or District Education Officers.

Leaders of the eight primary teachers associations said their movement would continue until the government withdraws its decision.

They also said they would refrain from taking part in election duties during the upcoming local government elections unless the government withdraws its decision.

Our correspondents from different parts of the country reported yesterday that thousands of primary teachers staged demonstrations and brought out processions at different district headquarters demanding cancellation of the proposed BRAC-sponsored training programme for primary teachers of all schools in 20 upazilas in different parts of the country.

They also submitted memorandums to the Chief Adviser through the respective deputy commissioners (DCs) as part of their centrally announced programmes demanding the immediate withdrawal of the government approval for a pilot project.

On May 23 last, the caretaker government approved the pilot project under which BRAC would work to improve overall education and classroom environment in 20 upazilas by training teachers and making school management committees (SMC) more effective.

Terming the government's move to get the teachers trained by BRAC as a step towards privatisation of primary education as prescribed by the lending agencies, leaders of different organizations of primary teachers said they would foil this move at any cost.

Leaders of Bangladesh Primary Teachers Association said they would not join the training course under BRAC. If necessary, they threatened, they would prevent BRAC trainers from entering the schools.

Earlier, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education said the government was implementing multipurpose development activities and training programmes under Primary Education Programme II through the Directorate of Primary Education for improving primary education and raising its standard. Various national and foreign development organisations are working as the government's partners to implement the programme, pointed out the ministry.

To do so a recent proposal by the BRAC to implement programmes aimed at improving the standard of primary education through a pilot programme in 20 upazilas has been given the green light, said the ministry.

The programmes are designed to raise the attendance level of students, reduce the number of drop-outs, increase completion rate of primary education and raise the students' standard, it added. Besides, other programmes in this regard include baseline survey, teachers' training and refresher courses, activating guardians and SMC, formation of school and union forums, said the ministry.

It may be mentioned here that the responsibility of monitoring the government's programmes on primary education has not been given to BRAC or any other NGO, the ministry said.

Earlier, BRAC Chairperson Fazle Hasan Abed claimed that BRAC that had no intention of privatising or commercialising primary schools in the country and its pilot project, funded solely by BRAC, in 20 upazilas is aimed at improving the standard of education at primary schools, said

Since Brac is funding the pilot project, it will not use public funds allotted for Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-II) of the government, the Brac chief claimed adding, "We have no plan to take any fund of the PEDP-II or any fund from foreign donor agencies."