Dialogue with the primary school

The agitating teachers of the non-government primary schools have begun a 48-hour hunger strike in the capital demanding nationalisation of their jobs, which according to them the government is pledge-bound as per its election commitment.

Whether the government would be able to keep the pledge and meet their demands remains to be seen but what is of utmost concern to the citizens at the moment is whether the standard of education at the primary level will improve if and when their demands are fulfilled. Notwithstanding the poor salary of primary school teachers, the fact remains that most of these schools, in both government and non-government sectors, are beset with numerous ills. Among them, imparting low quality education by incompetent teachers is foremost. There are allegations of low quality teachers being recruited on political consideration and teachers remaining busy with anything other than educational and extra-educational activities. The other allegations that often are raised about primary teachers are that they are never seen agitating about improving the curricula or asking for better and modern teaching tools and so on.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

We feel a thorough review of the entire gamut of primary education policy is very much in order. In this connection we would like to suggest formation of a special commission to undertake the task and take steps to reform the sector for the benefit of the future generations.