Primary education system in remote char lands, sandy lands emerged from riverbed, in the district has almost come to a halt allegedly owing to absence of teachers, poor monitoring and questionable role of the managing committees.
Consequently, not only the dropout also question has been raised about prevailing the quality education there.
Acknowledging the poor condition, local primary education officials opined that they have failed to monitor the schools regularly because of the manpower crisis and very poor communication system. Besides, local political leaders failed to ensure accountability there, they continued.
It was learnt from the education office that there are seven char lands in the district and all of them are located in Sadar upazila. About 24,390 students study in the 99 primary schools and 123 teacher posts remain vacant for long there as well. Poor communication system in the remote areas hampers the teachers’ presence while the office assistant and peon, in some cases, help to keep the activities there active.
While visiting, the correspondent found the aforesaid poor scenario in 82 Shahjahanpur Government Primary School in Shahjahanpur union on August 8, where peon Rabiul Islam was giving “Global Introduction of Bangladesh” subject exam in the second terminal test.
Rabiul said: “I am giving the examination with the order from headmaster Md Sanaullah as all three teachers including the headteacher are absent today.”
The guardians alleged that they pushed the teachers to ensure their regular presence, but they paid no heed to their appeal. Sometimes, the teachers leave their workplace before the office hours.
However, the headmaster failed to give any satisfactory answer about his absence to the correspondent over mobile phone.
About the controversial role of standing committee, Shahjahanpur UP Chairman Matiur Rahman said they have repeatedly informed the higher authorities of the malpractices, but their effort ended in vain duo to the negligence of the officials.
Terming the dereliction in duty of the teachers unfortunate, local Assistant District Primary Education Officer Sayedul Islam said they served show-cause notice to the three teachers seeking their explanation on the allegation.
“I do not support such sort of malpractice of teachers,” said Sayedul acknowledging to have poor monitoring system in the schools in char lands owing to the manpower crisis.