Tk 1,159cr project: Dhaka's govt primary schools to get makeover

All 342 government primary schools in Dhaka are set to go through beautification to make the campuses more children-friendly and improve the physical ambience for quality learning for over 2 lakh students.

The government has taken a Tk 1,159 crore project to build new campus buildings and classrooms and renovate the existing ones with modern amenities, and indoor and outdoor game facilities.

Under the project, new buildings will be built at 155 schools that would house 2,975 new classrooms while 1,167 classrooms will be expanded at another 177 schools.

The government will also set up 14 government primary schools in Dhaka. Among them, 11 will be in Purbachal and three in Uttara. Each of them will have playground facilities and the capacity to have about 350 students.

"Every school will turn into a full-fledged educational institution, where students will have the opportunity to learn in a children-friendly environment," said Primary and Mass Education State Minister Zakir Hossen while laying the foundation stone of Mohammadpur Government Primary School.

Alamgir Mohammed Monsurul Alam, director general of Directorate of Primary Education, said that under the project schools will be developed with eye-catchy designs to attract students from all walks of life. He also mentioned that another target of the project is to turn all 342 government primary schools into single shift campuses, to increase contact hours and interaction between teachers and students.

According to DPE, students of grades 1 and 2 of a single shift school have 844 contact hours in a year, while students of a double shift school have 602 contact hours.

Students of grades 3, 4 and 5 of a single shift school have 1473 contact hours, while students of a double shift school have 782 contact hours.

Officials said some of the targets of the project include ensuring 100 percent enrollment, children's mental development and reducing social disparity in terms of education.

They have also mentioned that gates and boundary walls of the schools will also be beautified to ensure students' safety. Sheds will also be built for guardians waiting to pick up their children after school.

The government-funded project is scheduled to be completed by December 2024 under Local Government Engineering Department.