Private Education
By Limana Solaiman Mridha
Private educational institutions are usually deemed as good alternatives to public ones, which are often overcrowded, lack facilities or get embroiled in politics. However, security threats, teaching standard and frequent shift in premises, not to mention exorbitant fee increases in recent times have got many parents rethinking about sending their children to private schools and universities. Moreover, many still prefer reputed public institutes, such as Dhaka Universitys Institute of Business Administration (IBA) as their first choice.
The weekend magazine interviewed some students, guardians and authorities about their concerns and preferences.
MM Mostofa Nabi Faiaze
The authorities of my university, International University, Bangladesh (IUB), have increased security on our campus. Metal archways have been installed at the entrance and cars are being checked regularly. But then again, IUB has maintained a good reputation so far and not much has changed. But one thing gets me wondering, the back compartment of every cars are checked, but what about the rest of the vehicle? And bags of students should be checked when entering through the garage as well. I think every student will be willing to go through the inconvenience of this added measure because at the end of the day, it is for our safety.
Rezwana Sharif
I think I will be choosing North South University (NSU) or IUB. I want to get enrolled in a good BBA programme and these universities, apart from IBA, have good reputations. Of course I am apprehensive about all the unfortunate recent events that had some ex-students of NSU involved, but thousands of sincere and good graduates are also coming out of the institution, I take my inspiration from them.
Atif Munir Shommo
I will be starting university soon and I am excited. I have already been selected in the North South University (NSU) admission test, but am waiting for the result of my IBA admission test. My first preference is IBA, of course, because I want to study business administration. But if I do not get in, NSU is my second choice. I am not inclined like most people to believe in the worst. Many graduates of NSU have high flying careers and for a handful of miscreants, I will not be condemning an entire educational institution that has been on the top for such a long time for the quality of their education. There is good and bad everywhere, the choice is up to you, what you want to be.
Shahana Ahmed Ismail
My daughter will be starting university soon and our first choice is IBA. It is one of the top institutes of the country and if that doesnt happen, we will be opting for NSU. I am concerned about the wellbeing of my daughter and I want her to get the best education available and NSU still is one of the top universities offering business studies. I know that some ex-students of the institution have been involved in crimes, but what about the universities reputation of producing brilliant graduates? We have to hope for the best and know our children. If parents are aware of what their kids are up to, if they give enough time and energy to their children even when they are grown up, it will not be so easy for people to make them go stray.
When asked about campus security, formation of monitoring cells and new admissions, in a telephone conversation with The Weekend Independent, the director of media and public relations of Independent University, Bangladesh, K Aminul Haque said: The existing security and monitoring system of IUB is very efficient and because of that we have been able to maintain a clean reputation. But we are waiting for detailed guidelines from the UGC (University Grants Commission) to form additional motoring cells. In terms of enhancing campus security, we have installed archways at every entrance and shortly, will also be introducing scanners for checking bags. Every inch of the campus is under CCTV surveillance as well. When it comes to fall admissions, we are pleased to inform that this time, we have received a substantial number of applications, even more so than the last semester. This is no surprise, given that a large majority of students go to private universities, and maybe students and parents are opting for IUB because of its pristine reputation. All our departments, even the newly launched ones are registered and our LLB honours programme have been receiving many applications as well. Knowing about our roots is an important part of the learning curve and in producing responsible citizens. Therefore, at IUB, every student is required to take foundation courses that educates one about Bangladesh, its rich culture and heritage. We have been maintaining this from the very beginning and hope to uphold the image in the long run.
Director and head of public relations of NSU Belal Ahmed said in an interview: We are cooperating with the law enforcements agencies in combing out individuals with ties to illegal activities. Every inch of the campus is under CCTV surveillance and even if a student forgets his/her mobile phone, they will get it back, such is the state of security in our campus at present. Many invisible surveillance will also be working to monitor the activities on campus. Even classes will be closely monitored. We are doing our utmost to ensure the security of our students. So far, we have produced outstanding graduates who are working in top positions of many companies. Recent events have tarnished our good reputation but I would like to remind that those are only a few among almost 22,000 students studying in our institution. The number of applications we are receiving is still as usual.
Other universities, such as Stamford and East West have also increased campus security, hired more guards, made scanning of bags and other equipment carried by students mandatory. The authorities of both the universities have confirmed that they have received the usual number of applications for the fall semester.
The standard of education in private universities have been questioned time and again with many blacklisted institutions still operating without proper registration or affiliation. The authorities have recently ordered the closure of multiple branches of some established institutions. Many students are suffering due to these irregularities in this sector and recent events have added to their concerns.
Meanwhile, many schools, universities and businesses have now received eviction notices from RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha) for operating illegally in residential areas. RAJUK officer Asmaul Hossain said: Any organisation operating in residential zone will face eviction. If a property was rented/bought with the intention of residential purpose but later used for commercial/business purpose, they will have to move.
Schools, too, have strengthened security measures, like installing extra grills, metal detectors and CCTV cameras on their premises. This magazine interviewed some parents on the eviction notices and new security measures. This is what they had to say:
Fazal Mahmud Roni
My daughter is a student of Sunnydale and our life is centered around her upbringing and comfort. For this reason, even though we have been living in Mirpur most of our life with many of our relatives also residing in the area, we have shifted to Dhanmondi for her convenience. Look at what has happened now. Her school has faced eviction. The authorities have informed us that they have already rented a property in Lalmatia, but this cannot be a permanent solution. We were not aware while paying the high admission fee that the school is operating on illegal premises and with the high cost of living, switching school is not easy. The schools in Dhanmondi area have been operating for many years now, why didnt the authorities stop these establishments from the very beginning? My daughters routine has been disrupted due to this eviction and we are very upset regarding the entire situation.
Tasnova Amin
My son goes to Delhi Public School (DPS) and their spring/summer break has been extended due to security reasons. The school authorities have been installing security equipment to ensure safety of the children, but I am a mother and I cannot help but worry for the entire duration he is in school. The authorities at DPS are doing all they can to amplify the campus security and guardians are receiving regular notices on the improvements. Let us hope for the best. We have not received any notice regarding change of premises yet. At this point, I am counting the positives.
Sifat Rahman
My daughter is a student of Maple Leaf International School and we were planning on putting our second daughter there as well. But unfortunately, that section (junior) is closed indefinitely. We made enquiries as to when it will reopen but the authorities could not give us an exact date. This is really sad, we read in newspapers that schools operating in residential areas without proper permission will be shut down and we worry everyday. This is taking a toll on all our lives and the problem should be solved as soon as possible. I have not noticed any extra security measures that are being implemented. Everything seems just as it was.
Mahrufa Rahman
We have been receiving updates on a regular basis from the authorities of Scholastica regarding new security measures. They have installed metal detecting archways, handheld metal detectors and many more CCTV cameras. If they can be as thorough with security checks as they are promising, then I will be less apprehensive about sending my son to school. He is a student in the junior section in Gulshan 2.
Kamrun Riva
My daughter will be starting nursery school soon and she is a student of Scholasticas junior branch in Gulshan 2. We havent received any notice from the school authorities regarding shift of premises. The location of the school was one of the reason I chose to put her there and also for its curriculum. I live in Banani and I dont want my daughter to be sitting in traffic for hours at this age.
Sabbir Ahmed
My daughter just started in the junior section of Scholastica last year, but we have decided to move her to Play Pen, which has its own premises in Bashundhara. We saw in the papers that the junior section, located in a residential part of Gulshan, has been ordered by Rajuk to move, but got a respite till December thanks to a court order. We didnt want to go through the hassle of changing schools in the middle of the year, in case they (Scholastica) are finally evicted. What if they move to Uttara, where the senior sections are? We live in Gulshan, and it would be too tiring for our little girl to travel there everyday.
Parveen Ahmed also contributed to this report.
Photos: Courtesy
