367 Pabna primary schools show-caused over poor literacy

The Primary Education Department in Pabna has expressed concern after finding that a number of primary school students across the district are unable to read Bangla and English textbooks fluently or solve basic mathematics problems.

Following the findings, the authorities this week issued show-cause notices to the headmasters and teachers of 367 government primary schools across the district's nine upazilas, over their failure in implementing the Foundation Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) programme, which aims to improve the quality of primary education.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The notices require the educators to explain the widespread academic underperformance and clarify why administrative action should not be taken against them.

According to the District Primary Education Office (DPEO), the FLN programme was introduced to strengthen students' basic learning outcomes.

"The FLN programme requires all Class 3 students to read Bangla textbooks fluently, all Class 4 students to master basic mathematics, including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and all Class 5 students to read English texts fluently," said Pabna District Primary Education Officer Md Ashraful Kabir.

However, an inspection conducted in June found that students in more than 300 schools failed to meet these standards despite extensive support, indicating that many children still lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills, he said.

Following the inspection, the district education office first issued show-cause notices to all nine upazila education officers, directing them to take appropriate measures. The upazila education officers subsequently served notices this week to the headmasters and teachers of 367 schools out of the district's 1,136 government primary schools.

According to the DPEO, show-cause notices were issued to 74 schools in Santhia, 59 in Atgharia, 54 in Pabna Sadar, 50 in Bera, 48 in Chatmohar, 41 in Sujanagar, 23 in Ishwardi, 11 in Bhangura and seven in Faridpur upazila.

The recipients have been given until the end of the month to submit their explanations.

Headmasters of several of the affected schools attributed the poor performance to structural challenges, acute teacher shortages, and limited parental involvement.

Md Moniruzzaman Shipon, headmaster of Char Natibpur Government Primary School in Bera upazila, said the school is located in a remote char area.

"I have more than 300 students but only three teachers, including a newly appointed one," he said.

"It is nearly impossible to give students individual attention with such limited staff. Many parents in these remote areas prefer sending their children to work in the fields rather than to school. Despite these constraints, we are doing our best."

Md Mokbul Hossain, headmaster of Notun Mirpur Government Primary School in the same upazila, said that although a small number of students were struggling, the majority were performing well.

He also argued that the inspection had been conducted before the FLN programme's designated assessment period had ended.

The issue was not confined to rural or remote schools. Fateh Mohammadpur Government Primary School, a well-regarded institution in Ishwardi municipality with 623 students and 16 teachers, also failed to meet the FLN targets.

Its headmaster, Md Rezaus Selim, said that more than 80 percent of students could read Bangla and English proficiently, but fewer than half met the required standard in basic mathematics. He argued that issuing show-cause notices alone would not address the underlying problems.

"Many parents pay little attention to whether their children attend school regularly or complete their studies," Selim said.

"When we try to engage them, they are often indifferent. Teachers alone should not be held entirely responsible."

Responding to the teachers' concerns, District Primary Education Officer Ashraful Kabir said educators could not evade accountability, although no formal decision would be taken until all responses had been reviewed.

"The government is actively working to improve the quality of primary education, and the FLN programme is central to that goal," he said.

"In the next phase, student evaluations will focus on comprehension rather than mechanical reading. Teachers must take greater responsibility to ensure that primary school students receive the education they deserve."