Dropout rate in primary education 21pc: Report
Support, guidance and academic assistance recommended for those who are at risk of dropping out at the primary level
STAFF REPORTER
Despite the recent progress in enrolment, there has been a dropout rate of 21 per cent in primary education, according to the Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report.
From 2005 to 2013, the net enrolment rate increased by 10.1 per centfrom 87.2 in 2005 to 97.3 in 2013while the average dropout rate slumped more than half from 10.2 per cent to 4.3 per cent during the same period, the report says.
The report recommends special measures to provide support, guidance and academic assistance to those who are at risk of dropping out at the primary level.
The report was presented at a programme organised by the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS) in the capital.
The report says that completion of primary education improved to 78.6 per cent in 2013 from 52.8 per cent in 2005.
It also identifies the student-teacher ratio as a major challenge in primary education. According to the National Education Policy 2010, the teacher-student ratio in primary education should be 1:30 and the goal will be achieved in phases by 2018.
The report says that gender equality in enrolment at both primary and secondary levels has been achieved during the last two decades.
The gross and net enrolment rates in secondary, higher secondary and tertiary education show an upward trend, particularly supported by the enhanced Female Stipend Programme since 2009, the report adds.
The proportion of female teachers in primary education increased from 36.3 per cent in 2005 to 58.2 per cent in 2012, it mentions.
About Goal-6 of EFA on quality education, the report says a significant proportion of students fail to achieve basic literacy and basic numeracy skills even after completing primary education.
Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid said, Weve made progress in education despite obvious limitations. However, the quality of education has still remained a challenge. Were working to improve the quality of education.
Meanwhile, the government has begun a survey on educational institutions through an online system introduced by BANBEIS to implement various activities in the education sector.
At a press conference at the auditorium of BANBEIS, the education minister said important information relating to 37,986 educational institutions will be collected till November 10. Such information will include infrastructural facilities, number of students and teachers, and other issues.
We cant have a proper plan without correct information. The collected information will assist us to make plans for students, teachers and educational institutions, Nahid told reporters.
Education secretary NI Khan said, This system will expedite the process of collecting information about educational institutions. Itll also help monitor the daily attendance of students.
The survey will be conducted in all secondary, higher secondary, madrasa, technical and vocational, and English medium schools, as well as in teachers training colleges, and government and private universities.
