2013-01-11 15:26:42

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.







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