First day draws mixed reactions

 After the first day of televised classroom lectures for secondary school students yesterday, guardians proposed that authorities address loud background music and unclear whiteboard. They also proposed the government should air these lectures through Bangladesh Television and if possible through some other private TV channels.

 "We have started test transmission. We will continue it for about one week," Parliament Secretariat Broadcasting and Information Technology Wing Director General Ashok Kumar Debnath, who oversees Sangsad Television, told this newspaper.

Asked about the background music and unclear board issues, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) director general Prof Syed Md Golam Faruk said they would address the issues.

DSHE named the televised lessons "My school at my home", that began at 9am with the national anthem. It also aired awareness videos regarding coronavirus at intervals of the classes.

Sonia Khan, in her lecture on sixth-grade science, used photos and video clips.

Later, Abdul Hasan gave a lecture on Bangladesh and Global Studies for the sixth grade; he was followed by Masud Hasan who gave a lesson on ICT to students of class VII.

Shahanara Begum Poly, who watched the broadcast on a live session from the Facebook page of Access to Information, alleged in a comment that lecture audio was poor, while background music was loud. It was difficult to understand what was written on the whiteboard, she added.

"Camera focus should be on the board rather than teacher most of the time," said Mostafizur Rahman Joseem, who also followed the page.

Ziaul Kabir Dulu, president of Dhaka-based association of school-goers' parents Abhibhabak Oikya Forum, welcomed the move, but said beside Sangsad TV government can consider airing the lecture through Bangladesh Television and some others private TV channels.

Prof Shahedul Khabir Chowdhury, director (college and administration) of DSHE, told The Daily Star teachers will give homework to the students during the lectures, which students will need to submit after their schools reopen.

Today, eight more lectures -- two each for sixth to ninth grade, will be aired from 9am to 12 noon, and repeated from 2pm to 5pm.

The government on March 16 closed down all schools till March 31 and on Tuesday extended the closure till April 9.

Several DSHE officials said with the Covid-19 situation evolving every day, this closure might be prolonged.