Education shines with success

Education is one of the few areas in which the achievements of this government in the last three years look bright. It has widened the free textbook distribution scheme, framed a national education policy and initiated updating the curricula as part of its electoral pledges for ensuring modern and quality education.
Embarrassed due to a crisis of school textbooks soon after assuming office in January 2009, the government decided to provide all students of primary and secondary levels with free textbooks at the very beginning of their academic session.
The previous governments used to give free textbooks only to primary students while secondary students had to buy their books. But the students would hardly get those even well into the first quarter of an academic session due to an artificial crisis caused allegedly by a nexus between a section of printers and government officials.
Last year, the education ministry distributed around 19 crore copies of textbooks among some 2.50 crore students. Free distribution of books resulted in an increase in the number of students by 50 lakh and the demand for books as well. This year, the ministry distributed over 23 crore copies of textbooks.
The education policy framed by the government seeks to establish a unified education system in the country. The policy however drew flak from religion-based political parties and organisations due to its progressive features.
A specific budgetary allocation for implementation of the policy is yet to be made.
A major step taken by the education ministry in line with the new policy is updating the curricula for primary and secondary levels incorporating the latest concepts, methods and practices.
Besides, the government introduced two public examinations at the end of class V and class VIII. This created competitiveness among the students, and also teachers. Students as well as their guardians are now serious about these examinations as certificates and stipends are being given on the basis results.
The rate of dropouts both at SSC and HSC levels declined in the last three years greatly due to the free distribution of textbooks, increase of stipend coverage for students and training of teachers.
According to official estimates, the dropout rate at SSC level has come down to 29 percent this year from 36 percent last year and 42 percent in 2009. And this rate at HSC level has declined to 18.19 percent this year from 18.24 percent last year and 19.92 percent in 2009.
However, the dropout situation is not yet satisfactory as several lakh students drop out every year.
The government claims to have enrolled around 99 percent children for primary education. But reducing the huge dropout rate further and imparting quality education will be two major tasks.
Passage of the Private University Act 2010 is another major initiative in the education sector. The act seeks to ensure discipline and standard of education at the private universities.
After a six-year suspension, the education ministry resumed the monthly pay order (MPO) facility for teachers. It listed 1,612 private educational institutions in 2010 for this facility on the basis of a policy.
However, criticism from ruling Awami League ministers and lawmakers over the MPO list that left out many institutions of their choice led to its revision twice.
Lack of coordination with the finance ministry has stalled the education ministry's initiatives, such as giving time scale incentives to teachers and MPO to deserving ones, and forming a separate pay commission for teachers, sources in the ministries said.
Although the government has been providing training facilities for teachers, there is a need for focusing on the high standard and quality of training for further improving the quality of education.