Technology indeed can do wonder for people to help them realise their potential and this is exactly the idea an Internet-based school in a remote village of Bandarban aims to turn into reality.
The exclusivity of Bandarban Online School founded by the JAAGO Foundation in association with Grameenphone lies in the fact that the connection between the teachers and the students will be established in the cyber space, meaning the teachers from Dhaka will teach the learners through videoconference sessions rather than having a face-to-face contact.
Located on top of a hill in Reicha union of Bandarban, the English-medium school is bordered by Dathbhanga Para, Kana Para, Dulujhiri Para and Meghla Para.
Dulupoti Tonchongga, a mother of two living in Meghla Para, has this dream that her younger son Shojib Tonchongga will one day become a minister of the country. For Dulupoti, it was like a daydream a few months back as she is an inhabitant of a remote village in the hills where education seems to be a luxury.
But now she thinks her dream can come true because of the school which is very close to the village she lives.
Expressing her elation, the lady told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are happy as we don’t have to pay for educating our children and also don’t require going far away from the village for giving our offspring primary education.”
Apart from Dulupoti, the virtual school has indeed provided children of nearly 100 families living in four adjacent villages with the opportunity to receive education.
Shudanonda Tonchongga, local coordinator of the school, told the Dhaka tribune that 40 children had enrolled in the school and most of them were from Tonchongga and Bhomong communities. Some Bengali children are also studying here, he said.
Melori Bom, a student of the school, hardly speaks Bangla. With the help of Shudanonda, she said: “I used to study in a school located far away from my home. Every day, I had to walk for two to three hours. Now I’m happy as the school is near to my village.”
Yesterday the authorities arranged an inauguration ceremony on the school premises that was attended by Bohmongree U Chaw Prue, chief of the Bhomong community.
“I am honoured that Grameenphone has chosen our area to establish the school. It will give our children access to modern education and other facilities,” he said.
Debdas Vottachajay, Superintendent of Bandarban police, termed the school a new concept in Bangladesh.
“This is our vision to empower the society through modern education,” said Mahmud Hossain, chief of corporate affairs at Grameenphone.
“There exists a gap between the urban and rural education systems. Besides, indigenous children have no Internet access. The school is our effort to provide the indigenous children here with the access to Internet. The 3G network system has brought the opportunity to ensure Internet service for all,” he added.
“Internet connectivity will develop the quality of education in rural areas,” said BTRC director Lt Col Sajjad.
Brigadier general Nakib, brigade commander of Bandarban, said: “I hope teachers will teach social responsibilities to the children to help them become good citizens in the future.”
Bandarban deputy commissioner Tarikul Islam and Korvi Rakshand, founder of the JAAGO Foundation, attended the ceremony among others.
Grameenphone funded the school in an effort to reduce the gap between urban and rural education systems through Internet connectivity. This is a pilot project which is assessing the impact of such education system on students.