Bangladesh to nationalize schools, except Catholic
January 11, 2013 - The government of Bangladesh announced that it would nationalize
all non-government primary schools with the exception of Catholic-run institutions
which will maintain their independence. At a big rally organised on Wednesday by the
Bangladesh Private Primary School Teachers Association at the National Parade Ground
in Tejgaon in the capital city, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the nationalisation
of 26,193 primary schools with effect from January, 2013 and the rest others of different
types in next two phases - by July 01 this year and by January, 2014. More than a
hundred thousand primary school teachers thus now become public employees, fully
funded by the government at an annual cost of over $150 million, according to the
Primary and Mass Education Ministry. Primary education in Bangladesh covers grades
1 to 5 and is completely free in government schools. Hasina also underlined the need
for teachers not only to maintain standards but to improve them. Nationalization is
welcome news for tens of thousands of mostly rural non-government teachers, who for
years have struggled to support their families on a poor salary and benefits. Many
have been forced to opt for private tuition to make ends meet, which in turn has contributed
to poor education standards in school classrooms. However, around 302 primary schools
run by the Catholic Church, will not be part of the nationalization scheme. The Catholic
Bishops’ Bangladesh Catholic Education Board (BCEB) oversees about 500 schools and
colleges across the country; many are top ranking schools in their areas. BCEB secretary
Holy Cross Brother Bijoy Rodrigues said no Church school wanted to be nationalized,
because they foresaw future problems such as government meddling in school activities.
Besides, teachers are already better paid, and receive good benefits. “The government
will fully control nationalized schools, which means lack of control over teacher
appointments and education standards,” Br Rodrigues said. In the past 20 years at
least 10 Church-run schools were nationalized and the quality of education dropped
dramatically, he said.