RAJSHAHI: Utmost emphasis should be given on bringing all the children especially those belonging to the under-privileged families and living in the less-developed areas under primary education and its successful completion, speakers at a discussion here said, reports BSS.
They viewed there is no way but to improve equitable access, retention and completion in quality primary education for out-of-school children to bring them under the primary education to attain equity.
To this end, the field level officials and others concerned should discharge their duties with utmost sincerity, honesty and patriotic zeal.
They were addressing a daylong divisional workshop titled “Reaching Out of School Children II Project” held at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioners, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, Deputy Director of Primary Education, District Primary Education Officers, District Education Officers, Upazila Education Officers and Training Coordinators from all eight districts under the division attended the workshop.
Divisional Commissioner Helaluddin Ahmed and Additional Commissioner Munir Hossain addressed the meeting as chief and special guests respectively with Dr Mijanur Rahman, Director of the project, in the chair.
The speakers mentioned that contrary to the overall and general trend of the girls’ enrollment in schools being higher than that of the boys, the enrollment of girls with special needs is significantly lower than boys.
There are many children who are not going to school but who could attend if the schools were more inclusive following a child-friendly attitude. No special arrangements have also been made to
make their education available and easier.
During his concept-paper presentation, Dr Mijanur Rahman said the project aims to bring the primary school children under the programme who were never admitted to school or dropped out before completing primary education as the government is determined to complete the primary education.
He told the audience that the quality of teaching-learning process, the school environment and children’s learning achievements are major challenges.
The government has planned to reduce the number of ‘out-of-school children’ to zero per cent in the next five years. It would also establish a social safety net through providing monthly education stipends for the children to check the dropout trend.