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Spotlight

Faujdarhat Cadet College and its contribution to society

Introduction
The world has undergone numerous historic revolutions. The first industrial revolution came in the 18th century and the second in the 20th. Now communication, the third industrial revolution of the 21st century is placing knowledge at the core of human growth and development activities. The progress of nations is no longer based on physical activities alone; rather it depends largely on communication networking that addresses problems through intelligence. The small number of nations who invested heavily in education and scientific research in the recent past have revolutionised intellectually. Most other nations who did not have this foresight paid the price by lagging behind in these fields.

Education
Bangladesh is one of those many nations that suffered because of not taking timely efforts. However one positive sign is that Bangladesh has achieved a lot of progress in the education sector at the primary and secondary levels. Extra budgetary allocations for education, free education for girls up to class twelve and other affirmative initiatives have paid off. The gross enrollment rate in primary education has increased up to 96 percent, and should reach 100 percent by 2015 as per the UN Millennium Development Goal. But compared to the commendable achievements at the primary level, the standard of high school education has not undergone many positive changes. The deficiencies are mostly due to shortage of qualified and dedicated teachers and political interferences. The gap between the students of Bangladesh and the regional countries is widening because of the innovative and objective education systems being continuously adopted by the progressive countries in Asia, such as India and Malaysia. More alarming in our country is the parallel education imparted by the three distinct systems, namely, the main stream schools, the madrassas, and the private English medium schools, The wide divergence in the three systems are creating impediments not only in the job market, but also in the higher learning process of our students.

Cadet College
In the private sector however objective educational institutions in small proportions are functioning in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and other big towns. The intellectual scenario is changing also because of the establishment of high-class private universities. In the public sector the only significant institutions that are making distinctive contributions to the society are the Cadet Colleges. Founded on the principles of the British Public Schools like Eton and Harrods, these 12 institutions are now the milestones in the progress of public education in Bangladesh.

Every year the best 600 students for class 7 are selected from all over the country on a competitive basis. The students come from families of all income levels and social backgrounds. The mixing of this variety of students for a period of 6 years in the boarding-school environment inculcates in them good understanding, tolerance and appreciation of each other's difference. It ultimately promotes social, racial, and religious harmony among them for their entire life.

In the Cadet College the curriculum is innovative and action oriented although the national textbooks are taught. This enables the students to develop their potential spontaneously rather than competitively. The relationship between a teacher and his student, unlike normal schools, is not that of domination and subjugation. The learner can express a different opinion without fearing being rebuked by teachers. Much emphasis is laid on writing skills, speaking skills and understanding rather than on textbooks. Only about 35 percent education is academic and the rest are objective. The curriculum develops qualities of social and military leadership. Extracurricular activities like public speaking, dramatics, art, culture, vocational subject training and abilities to solve problem are given a lot of importance. The college campuses span over areas of more than 100 acres. The facilities include excellent sport facilities and opportunities for outdoor activities requiring compulsory participation of the students.

English
After the liberation in 1971, English was subjected to a second grade status in the schools and colleges of Bangladesh. It was a very whimsical decision on the part of our policy makers. They failed to realise how the students would cope in their advanced studies where they would inevitably have to confront English. This is because the universities in Bangladesh follow English as their medium of instructions. English is also the medium in foreign universities where our students go for higher studies. Today the prevalence of technology in the lives of school students via internet and medias in mathematics, science, computer literacy; are demanding extra knowledge and application skills of English.

The large growth of private English-medium schools in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, and other major towns are evidences to that effect. This also forced the Cadet Colleges to adopt English as the medium of instruction in the recent years. Students are taught general English to advanced language skills, and are required to produce descriptive and argumentative papers. Emphasis on English has given them competency in formal and informal communications. The English medium students in general are therefore finding higher paid employments at home and abroad

Faujdarhat Cadet College
As a result the products of the Cadet Colleges in general and the Faujians in particular have proved to be capable persons who represent all professions of life: bureaucrats, businessmen , doctors , engineers , lawyers , defense-person , policeman etc. The Faujdarhat Cadet College, in particular, is a model institution where the cradle of a vast number of our educated elite rocked over 50 years. It is always a feeling of deep satisfaction that we Faujians maintain strong bonds of fellowship and fratemity through our association, OFA. The Old Faujians contribute meaningfully not only to the socio-cultural enhancement of the present students, but also to the broadening of scopes for career building opportunities of passed-out students. The spirit of unity in OFA and its organisational strength also upholds in public the name and fame of the FCC.

Whenever FCC and OFA comes to my mind, which is quite frequent, I get nostalgic. I don't remember how often I have expressed these sentiments in my writings and in my short speeches. And the thrill and sense of accomplishment continued with my son Zahur being a student of the 39th batch of FCC and one of my grand sons being admitted to class 7 of FCC.

Commodore A. Z. Nizam (retd )
Old Faujian , 3rd batch , ( 220/ 1959 )