In quest of Quality Primary Education

Primary Education of Bangladesh:Quest for

Quality education for all Our Children

Bangladesh government has been taken a giant Program named PEDP-111 for over all development of Primary Education Scenario. To achieve the goal a series of activities in this sector are going on, especially training programs have been being implemented in row. Since last March/2015, a number of training courses for the quality primary education and professional development of working teachers have consciously been hosted throughout the country till 30^th June/2015 this year. The training courses are;

1. Better health, better education.
2. Health care awareness among Primary School Children.
3. Subject based training ( Bengali, English, Maths, Science, Social Studies etc.)
4. Leadership Training for head teachers.
5. Academic Supervision training for head teachers.
6. Pre-primary Teachers training.
7. TSN (Teacher Support Network through Lesson Study.
8. Need Based Sub-cluster training.
9. Competency based training.
10. Curriculum Dissemination.
11. UPEP.
12. RBM
13. PEDP-111
14. NSA (National Assesment Test)
15. Sub-cluster training.
16. Inspection Review.
17. School Survey Reports.
18. Books Information, and so on.

I have passed my time through hard work and keeping me tough busy and enjoyments getting involved with these training courses of my dear Primary and Mass Education Ministry. Sometimes, I enjoyed them being trainee and sometimes as trainer. All the related high-ups, authorities, officers and teachers were busy enough in the last 3-4 months, receiving and conducting these training courses. Now it’s the question of implantation at the school levels among the students. How much we are prepared and would like to act accordingly? There is no alternative for us, but to be serious and sincere enough at discharging our duties and responsibilities. The main success of all these activities would rely on the sincere efforts and mind-sets of working teachers. The head teachers have to take initiatives and come ahead to make all of them successful. They have to make their schools work and the Assistant Teachers are to follow their instructions with utmost sincerity and dedication in a body. They need to have a strong team spirit among them. The rest of us would have to assist them positively and open mindedly. For the greater interest of the country as well as the nation we all have do that and carry on the activities vastly. If we all show our true sincerity and act accordingly, it is expected that the present scenario of the Bangladesh Primary Education might take a shape. 

Quality primary education at Moheshkhali

Quality Primary education at Moheshkhali

Part-X111

Is quality primary education possible at Moheshkhali Upazila, also throughout Bangladesh? Yes, it is a must. There is no substitute of doing that. Country like Bangladesh has to achieve the goal of quality education as it has many limitations of resources. We have to develop our country building up competent human resources. Though our country is quite important to the outside world, as it is situated in a strategically and geographically vital region, we have to go ahead with education and high technological skills. Bangladesh is committed to implement all the international agreements signed with UNO member states about education, democracy, human rights and so on. The government has been trying to keep pace along with other countries implementing these pledges including quality education. At present, the Primary and Mass Education Ministry has taken a number of steps and programs throughout the country. Professional Development of teachers working at primary schools and ensuring quality education for all our children are the main objectives of the primary education sector. Various types of training for the teachers from upazila level to national levels have been hosting now. All the Officers and teachers are very busy now achieving the targeted goals and receiving trainings. Now, I have been conducting a training course named TSN or Lesson Study at Moheshkhali URC. Twenty five head teachers have been participating in the course. Today, I conducted an open session with them on how the the training courses would impact and benefited the teaching-learning activities of primary schools. Here, I would like to give a pen-picture of their views and opinions.

1. The new concepts like; Academic Supervision, Lesson Study, Competency based training, Subject based training and so on are very important for ensuring quality education.
2. If they could implement the sum and substances of these training courses at school levels and all the children would be benefited much.
3. Some long prevailing problems at Moheshkhali upazila, like teachers shortage, structural crisis, furniture shortage should be made up soon to implement the spirits of these training courses.
4. Mind sets of the working teachers must be changed and professionalism among the teachers should be developed.
5. All the teachers should have strong professional commitment and love for the country and the nation.
6. They say that these qualities of teachers would not come in them fortnightly, but gradually.
7. The authority should have to continue these programs for  a certain period of  time and that might be at least for 10 years.

Conclusion: In fine, We can see the observations of the teachers and ca go ahead with them seriously and seriously. It is expected that we will over come someday.

Dhalghata a Remote Locality: School Inspection

A journey through Dalghata Union

Dated: 14/06/2015

Dhalghata is the remotest area of Moheshkhali upazila. After the devastating mass-upsurge/Cyclone of 1991, the locality has become destructed and devoid of people. On 13^th instant, I went to watch the some on going Employment Generational Projects there. The day was rainy and the weather was rough. It is known to all that it is quite difficult to move  from here and there as there is no alternative, but walking through muddy roads. I also visited the four government primary schools of Dhalghata. I started my journey from Shapmardale acroosing the Khulia River from Kalarmachara. Before that I started my jouney from Chakaria to Baderkhali Bridge at about 8 pm. From Baderkhali Bridge, Mr. Moksud Ahmed; Head teacher-in-charge of Sharoitala Government Primary accompanied me.  We reached at Kalarmarchara Government Primary School at about 9.15 am and stayed about half an hour at the school. I visited the school and then we started our journey to Dhalghata. Reaching at Shapmaradale Government Primary School, I visited and talked to the teachers and students of the school. I stayed about an hour at the school and started for watching Akhtaruzzaman member`s project from Sutariadale to Shapmarardale. While we reached at the middle of the road, the rain started with strong wind and we had to take shelter at a small hut, built there for collecting aids for the nearby mosque which is famous for its miraculous characteristics. After waiting about half an hour, we started again for Sutariardale and finally reached at Sutaria Bazar. There I met some of the leaders and elites of the area. I exchanged views about the implementation progress of EGP projects with them. Then, I went to visit the Sutariardale Government Primary School. At the School I stayed about two hours and inspected it. I took my lunch there and started for Sharoytala Government Primary School. The road to he school was quite slippy and I had to go there through fighting against serious slippy mud. However, I visited the school for about half an hour. The conditions of this school is very painful and the teaching-learning activities of the school is going on quite difficult situations. From there I started for watching another EGP project  of Karima member and did it through a painful muddy road on which I was facing a critical condition of walking. At a time I crossed the road watching another EGP Project Bonzabill and reached at the Muhurighuna Government Primary School. I inspected the school for about an hour and then I started for Matarbari. Mr. Abul Hossain; Head teacher of Dakkkin Mogdale Government Primay School took me on his Motor-bike from Sairardale and he reached me at Rajghat Government Primary School at about 6 p.m. At about 6-45 pm, I started for Coxsbazar through Chakaria by CNG. After coming Chakaria Bus Terminal, I rode on Coxline to Coxsbazr and reached at Coxsbazar at about 8.15 pm. In fact, I am at a Training Course at PTI Coxsbazar for 10 days. It was started on 06/06/2015 and will end tomorrow. The journey to Dhalghata for me was almost adventurous in my recent time. I have not been done so hard work other than making journey to Dhalghata after coming from Rajasthali Upazila of Rangamati on the last 12^th February of 1013 last to Coxsbazar.  The journey had given me much pains, but important for being my cup of tea and it will remain in my memory for long.

Quality primary Education at Moheskhali

Part-V1

Modhuardale Government Primary School is one of the teacher-powered school of Moheshkhali upazila. It has 10 teachers now and the infrastructural facilities of the school are available. The team of teachers has been working with a strong spirit and utmost sincerity. They have made the school work through their dedication and hard-working. The working teachers of the school are; Ronjana Paul, Kumkum Badrunnesa, Tipu Rani Sushil, Prianka Paul, Md. Ashiqur Rahman, Nirmal Kanti Dey, Jesmin Akhter, Umme Romman, Numey and Munira Afaj Shahin. All of them are quite competent enough. One of them is Mr. Nirmal Kanti Dey, who is a blessing for Primary education of  Moheshkhali upazila. He is good teacher having subject knowledge, professional knowledge, service related matters etc. He has sufficient knowledge of ICT, also. He speaks in clear voice and take the class being well-prepared. He thinks for quality primary education in the country and of his native upazila Moheshkhali upazila primary education. Mr. Nirmal suggests that following steps are needed to make the primary education up-to-the mark.

1. Every Primary should be made well-equipped with Computer and Multi-media based technology.

2. Every school should electricity.

3. Enough class-rooms should be made available.

4. Teachers promotion process should be made smooth and regular.

5. Salary scales of head teachers and assistant teachers should be made reasonable.

6. An Office Assistant should be appointed in each and every school.

7. Rest and recreation like facilities should be given increased.

8. Residential facilities for the teachers nearby schools should be made available.

9. Teachers-students ratio should be made in between 1:30.

10. The authority of SMC should be reduced and reasonable.

11. Head teachers attitudes towards the assistant teachers should be amicable.

12. Separate salary scale for the teachers should be introduced soon.

13. Med-day meal for students should be introduced soon.

14. School Time might be from 8:00 to 2.00 pm.

15. One Shift School is to be introduced, making it equipped with required number of teachers.

16. Boundary wall at every school is a must.

These are the school thinking of Mr. Nirmal Kanti Dey a potential young teacher of Moheshkhali upazila primary education department. He has some more suggestions for quality primary education. It is hoped that he would think about the matter more seriously and concisely, in future.

Part-V11

Today I would like to write about the quality primary education of Moheshkhali on the Shaplapur Uninon teachers` point of view. There has been held Sub-cluster training today at the Shaplapur Government Primary School having attended by of 35 teachers of the primary school of the Shaplapur union. At the end of the training, I exchanged views with them about, how to develop and ensure the quality primary education of Moheshkhali upazila. The teachers had spontaneously opined their opinions on the matter. Each and every school situation of Moheshkhali has been discussed there. They have raised many important points. I would like to mention their thoughts about quality primary education of Moheshkhali.

1. More teachers post at the primary schools of Moheshkhali should be created and the vacant post of teachers should be fulfilled as early as possible.
2. More furniture and teaching-learning materials should be provided the schools.
3. More class-rooms and buildings are to be constructed.
4. Effective coordination among the stakeholders is a must.
5. Huge of number of teaching-learning aids are required to conduct effective classes.
6. Sanitation problems of the schools should be removed.
7. Internal communication problems of the upazila should be improved.
8. Students should be taught and be taken care of with love and passion.
9. Identity Card for the teachers should be introduced and they should be honored as well as respected.
10. Uniform Dress for teachers at each school should be introduced.

All the teachers of Shaplapur Union agreed about the points motioned above. They sincerely think and believe that if these problems are solved, quality primary education at Moheshkhali could be possible in near future.

Part-V111

Today I would like to describe the thoughts of Mr. Shahidul Alam; the Head teacher of Fakiraghuna Government Primary school. He is one of the most experienced head teacher of Moheshkhali. He runs his school carefully and expert-handedly. He knows a lot on primary education and hopes to do something for quality primary education of this upazila. I have consulted about the matter several times with him. His present school Fakiraghuna Government Primary school is one of the good school and had done a good result in the Primary Education Completion Examination in 2014, last. He is also the member of Upazila Primary Education Committee from head teacher category of the upazila. He has a strong team of teachers in his school, who have been working hard and with utmost sincerity for quality primary education. Here are his thoughts on quality education;

1. The government has taken a number of programs to ensure quality primary education in Bangladesh and have been monitoring them closely. Our duty is to work sincerely.
2. He thinks all the teachers should think and work positively being united with the government initiatives.
3. The head teachers should be empowered to run their schools independently.
4. Teaching capacities of the Assistant Teachers should be strengthened.
5. Government declared salary scales and other facilities are enough for the teachers now and they should be satisfied with them.
6. Every teacher should appreciate the government initiatives.
7. He thinks that there should not be any grouping among the teachers working at the primary schools, throughout the country. He believes that in near future the government would do much more for the teachers, so that they can live decent lives and can enjoy happy and respectful lives.
8. Mr. Shahidu Alam promises that he would try his best for ensuring quality primary education at Moheshkhali and would make each of the primary schools resourceful, with buildings, furniture, class-rooms and teaching-learning materials.

The head teacher; Mr. Md. Shahidul Alam`s thinking on Moheshkhali primary education is like this. If his thinking could be turned into reality, people believe that it would truly be successful one.

Part-1X

Mr. Sultan Ahmed Hossaini is one of the ancient head teachers of Moheshkhali upazila. He is a man, who leads the teachers with a bold voice for their rights. He is thoroughly a gentleman and a figure, having a tall body and keeping his head high. He is the sitting president of the `Teachers` Association of Moheshkhali upazila’. Mr. Sultan works at the Timebazar Government Primary School as a veteran head teacher of it. He leads his school skillfully, both of his school management and academic affairs. He has a deep pain of not being capable of using his new school building, which has been occupied by Huanak Union Parishad, what is being used as an Office of the parishad. He has another pain of not having required number of teachers in his school now. He thinks and works for primary education of Moheshkhali as well as for the development of all over Bangladesh primary education and Primary school teachers` interest, too. Mr. Sultan thinks that to make sure of quality primary education at Moheshkhali a number of steps have to be taken and implemented. They are as following;

1. Every teacher should be aware of and serious enough to discharging duties and responsibilities.
2. They should be united to realize their demands and availing themselves necessary facilities they expect for them.
3. Every teacher should be professionally committed and have to have due respect for others.
4. Wealth of schools should be preserved and recover from the occupiers, immediately.
5. Vacant posts of teachers should be fulfilled and new teachers should be appointed soon.
6. There should be a friendly and cooperative relationship between the authorities and the teachers. The both parties should have to work together for quality primary education keeping hands-in-hands.
7. Teachers prestige’s and prejudices should be upheld everywhere.
8. The government should be more attentive giving more facilities, promotion, posting, up-gradation etc to the teachers.
9. Teachers should not be underestimated and be looked at them mean-mindedly.
10. Above all, the whole nation should be careful of ensuring literacy for everybody and quality education for all of our children in Bangladesh.

These are the thoughts, Mr. Sultan thinks for quality primary education of Moheshkhali as well as throughout the country. Could we have seen these materialized in our life-time? Perhaps yes or not, but these are the true demands of the time, we have to do that in near future.

Part-X

Recently there has been going on a series of various Primary schools teachers` training countrywide. Health Awareness, Better health, better education, Need based Sub-cluster training, Leadership training for head teachers, Pre-primary teachers training, Competency based training etc. are among them. More tarining courses would be held, one after another, in near future. At Moheshkhali upazila as an AUEO and Trainer, I have been conducting these courses as one of the trainer. Some of them are quite academic and some are social and health awareness; I use to be happy enough and enjoy conducting these training very much. Usually, I try to go to near to teacher, try to understand their inner-voice and maintain the training disciplines strictly, while I am at training sessions. Teachers are used to lead themselves as they like. This is the common characteristics of teachers. They can’t be in the habit of trainees as a whole and feel annoyed to be kept in patience at the training sessions, which is essential, while at training. However, I would like to describe here, the views and opinions of training participating teachers on the point of quality primary education view of Moheshkhali upazila. On the point teachers often try to speak as following ways;

1.        Most of the primary schools of Moheshkhali don’t have enough class-rooms, teachers, and furniture.

2.       They say that guardians are not aware of the value of literacy and education.

3.       The ratio of teachers and students is quite far much, for which they can’t ensure quality education for all children.

4.       They admit that they should be more serious and sincere enough at their duties and responsibilities.

5.       They use to give commitment that they would do much more after the training.

6.       At Moheshkhali upazila primary education now almost is on the track, which was not possible in the recent past as the office was not equipped with required number of officers and staffs.

7.       Most of the teachers realize that they should work hard for quality primary education.

8.       They think that they should be paid up more facilities.

Thus, the teachers opine that if the quality primary education, we truly want above problems should be solved.

 

Part-X1

I have been conducting Competency Based Training Courses for the teachers working at Moheshkhali Upzala since23rd of instant of May. Third Batch of the training is going on. This a training quite academic in nature; on the basis of Benjamin Bloom`s Taxonomy of Learning domains. The training course is for three day duration. Most of the teachers are not well-known to the Competency based learning, teaching and evaluation. I have trying much to make the method and learning theory with serious-mindedly, but the trainees are at their infant stage. In fact, most of them are not in the habit of making question papers or test. That is why they cannot receive the techniques skillfully. This is a training which is a continuing process and they have to practice it even after the training. I use to give them advice them to do that and have been imposing them to collect the manual. Though, some of them try to avoid it, I personally persuade them its importance and almost compel them to have the manual. Inspire of telling, everything in the training sessions I feel that I should write on it elaborately. What the teachers need to do after training are;

1. They have to read and follow the competency based manual, regularly.

2. They have to try understanding the Competency based teaching-learning and evaluation process carefully and seriously.

3.They have to practice the question making methods continuously, both formal and informally.

4. As it is an new trend in Primary Education System, it will take time to be in the habit of acquiring it.

5. The teachers must be academically enriched, practically on their respective subjects.

6. Since the teachers, have to conduct the Primary Education Completion Examination in the Examination Center and evaluate the answer scripts, they should have proper knowledge and expertise to do that skillfully.

7. As they are to follow the Marking Scheme, while evaluating answer script and putting number accordingly they to be expert on the process too.

Above all, to ensure quality primary education for all our children, there is no alternative for working teachers of being competent and having acquired knowledge of new changes.

Quality Primary Education at Moheshkhali

Quality Primary Education at Moheshkhali:

What the working teachers think and why*

Part-1V

Matarbari Government Primary School is one of the best school of Coxsbazar. Once, it made an expellant result in the primary scholarship result when it used to be held, in Chittagong division. Since 2009, it has been continuously doing good result in the Primary Education Completion Examination obtaining 100% passed and average 10 above scholarship each year. The teachers who have been working at this school are qualified, expert and competent enough. However, the head teacher Mr. Abdul Hamid is an expert and experience one, who use to work hard himself and encourages his colleagues to do so as well as upholding his school records. He thinks to develop school through day and night. His team of teachers is also sincere and helpful to him. At present, Mr. Hamid is not fully satisfied with what he does; he feels he should do more for the students, teaching-learning activities and the school development. He has 3 buildings and other facilities those are not enough to make the school works regular infrastructurally. He needs more teachers, school buildings, furniture and teaching-learning materials. He says that the locality assists and cooperate much to continue his efforts and school thinking well. He also says that he needs the following essentials to enrich his school.

1. The government should introduce the school library programs as early as possible.
2. More materials should be provided with latest teaching-learning aids.
3. Teachers should be enriched more academically through training and motivation.
4. Government Programs like Upabritti, Inter-school Sports, Bangabandu Gold Cup Football Tournament etc. should be informed the schools and teachers in time.
5. Schools Assistances Funds; like Contingency, SLIP fund, and others should be increased and speed up.
6. Recognition to the best teachers and hard-working teachers should be given duly and should be rewarded with great honor.
7. Above all teachers should be behaved and respected deeply.
8. Technology based teaching-learning activities should be geared up.

Mr. Hamid`s feelings and suggestions to ensure quality primary education an upazila like Moheshkhali, should be taken into noticed with care and serious. The higher authorities Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the Directorate of Primary Education should consider his thoughts. He has expressed his thinking from long and practical experiences. As a head teacher of Matarbari Government Primary School of Moheshkhali, Mr. Hamid has not been being evaluated enough as much as he deserved. We have to learn from this type of head teacher and work accordingly.

Part-V

Ghurakghat Government Primary School is one of the good institution at Moheshkhali Upazila. It is at the heart of Moheshkhali Pourasava area and well equipped with essential the main factors needed a good school. Mr. Makhon Lal Dey is the head teacher of the school. He is an expert, sincere and hard-working teacher. As a head teacher, he is creative also and poetic. He leads his school well. He is a leader and manager of the school. Inspire of all these positivism, Mr. Makhon is not fully satisfied with the prevailing performances of his school. He thinks to make his school speak with success it needs to do something more. He suggests that if the Ghurakghata Government Primary School is to make more effective following steps are required to be taken.

1. All the working teachers must be sincere and hard-working as well as they should have love and passion for the school.
2. Each and every teacher has to be responsible and dutiful.
3. Guardians should be made aware of the importance of literacy and education.
4. The teachers should be obedient and polite enough to his immediate boss.
5. No teacher should deny the head teacher’s instructions.
6. Government budgetary and financial allocation should be increased to maintain the school expenditure.
7. Materials for teaching and learning should be made available for the teachers and teachers.
8. Head teachers should be empowered more to control the Assistant teachers, if they neglect their duties and responsibilities properly.

Can the expectation of the Ghurakghata Government Primary School be met up? Perhaps, could be, if every related authority do their work being serious and sincere. We should wait and continue our sincere efforts to make the primary school and the teaching-learning activities up-to-the mark that is quality education.

Quality Primary Education at Moheshkhali (Part-111)

Quality Primary Education at Moheshkhali:

What the working teachers think and why*

Part-111

Ghatibanga Government Primary School is the only school which has been introduced clas-111, according to National Education Policy/2010. There are only 6 teachers now at the school. The post of Head teacher of the school is vacant for long a year. At present, there are about eight hundred students have been studying at this school. The class 8 students (44) of this school would appear at the JSC examination in 2015. The working teachers are in great anxious and they have been suffering too much now, as there are a lot of problems to run all the classes from Preprimary to class eight. They also don’t have enough class-rooms, furniture and other required logistic materials. Mr. Mukhter Ahmed is the head teacher-in-charge of Ghatibanga Government Primary School. He says that the JSC examinees have been enlisted and registered for the exam, but it is very difficult to make them well-prepared for it. According to him(Mr. Mukhter) the school has been facing seriously the following problems.

1. There needs to be filled-up the vacant posts (07) as early as possible.
2. There has to be posted an expert head teacher must, soon.
3. Enough class-rooms, furniture, teaching-learning materials must be made available at the school, immediately.
4. SMC, PTA and the local community people should be active and cooperative enough to the teachers, working there.
5. The Upazila/District authorities have to pay heed to the problems of this school sincerely and have to take proper steps.
6. Special Teaching/Coaching for the JSC examinees and PEC examinees should be arranged.
7. Mr. Mukhter Ahmed also says that the working teachers should be more serious and hard-working for maintaining a minimum educational quality of the school.

It is fine to have an institution like that at the upazila level, but the problems should be resolved. The authority should be more serious for this types of schools to run smoothly.

*Mohammad Shahidullah

AUEO, Moheshkhali,

 Coxsbazar.

Quality Primary Education at Moheshkhali Part-11

Quality Primary Education at Moheshkhali:

What the working teachers think and why*

Part-11

Mr. Giasuddin Chowdhury, is the head teacher of the Moheshkhali Model Government Primary School. He says, he feels frustrated as what he thinks about school to develop can’t go far. He has been serving as a head teacher in the primary schools about 16 years. Firstly he joined at the Ghotibanga Government primary school and later he worked at the Gurakghata and Barmij GPS consequently. At his present school he has been working for about 10 years. He thinks to do something, develop it and make it one of the best one at least at the Cox`sbazar district. He keeps his records and registers of the schools up-to-date. He has a rich collection of Supplementary Reading Materials (SRM), books, teaching aids and other things. There are about 700 students and 13 teachers at his schools. His school makes out good results in the Primary Education Completion Examination and keeps it up every year. But sorry to say that it can’t make the students 100% at that exam. By and large, he doesn’t have infrastructural problems at his school. The school in badly needs of Boundary Wall. Since the school campus is open, outsiders often disrupt the school environment. Sometimes, labors working in the surrounding areas walk through the school premises and they move here and there. For this it affects the teaching-learning activities of the schools. However, the head teacher of Moheshkhali Model Government Primary School, Mr. Giasuddin Chowdhury thinks that to develop all the Primary schools and ensuring quality primary education at Moheshkhali following measures should be taken on the basis of priorities.

1. He says that every teacher should be sincere and dedicated to their duties and responsibilities.
2. Rules and regulations of the school must be maintained.
3. Teachers should be professionally committed and competent enough.
4. Sufficient fund for the maintenance of day to day expenditure of the schools should be increased.
5. The higher authority should have to give enough freedom to the school head teacher to do his works smoothly and smartly.
6. Teachers, who don’t have competency and capability to continue their works expectedly, should be posted with good teachers at the other schools.
7. There should be preference of choosing or posting good teachers at the good schools.
8. Teachers should have enough professional knowledge of teaching, practicing of teaching-learning and values of his/her profession.
9. The community must have to be active and cooperative enough.
10.  Parents should be aware of their children’s education as well as sending them to schools and their regular learning.
11.  Every teacher should be students-friendly and should have passions for the students.