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Students, guardians for school reopening soon


Published : 19 Jan 2021 09:23 PM | Updated : 20 Jan 2021 10:25 AM

About 76 percent parents want their children to return to school by ensuring hygiene while 75 percent students agree to reopen schools within shortest possible time, a survey reveals.

Besides, 62 percent teachers have agreed to shorten the current syllabus to conduct educational activities, according to a survey of ‘Education Watch’ published on Tuesday.

The survey was conducted among 2,952 individuals from 8 districts of eight divisions and two city corporations in Dhaka. Among them, some 1,709 students, 578 teachers and 576 guardians participated in the survey. 

Of the students, only 31.5 percent students could take part in television, radio and online based distance learning programmes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Thus, most of the students-parents have expressed their views in favor of re-opening the educational institutions as early as possible. 

Mostafizur Rahman, a member of Education Watch, unveiled the study findings during a virtual programme held by Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE). 

Executive Director of CAMPE and former advisor to the caretaker governmentRasheda K Chowdhury presided over the virtual conference.

Mostafizur Rahman said, “Among the Students who participated in the research, 57.90 percent have been deprived of education due to lack of necessary devices and 16.50 percent did not take part as they were not drawn to distance learning programmes.”

Seventy-five percent students who participated in the survey expressed their desire to return to their classrooms sooner. Seventy-six percent guardians opted for reopening schools as soon as possible, he said. 

Additionally, 62 percent teachers think that the syllabus of the students should be short to reduce their education gaps during the pandemic. 

According to CAMPE, schools should be reopened in phases following health guidelines and the government should come up with the announcement soon. 

Rasheda K Chowdhury said, “We have submitted our report to the government. Schools need to be reopened with a long-term plan. Moreover, the inequality among the students is gradually increasing due to prolonged closure of educational institutions. The government should make a clear announcement about when the educational institution will be opened.”

According to the Education Watch researchers, primarily, the authorities should reopen classes 10 to 12 and later the education programme of classes 4-5.

According to the report, male students participate more in online classes than female students. 

Based on the results of the study, a six-point proposal have been recommended, including reopening of schools step by step from next February. However, in the case of reopening schools, researchers have given emphasis on opening rural schools rather than urban ones. 

To recover the losses of students, 72 percent of teachers think that schools need to be reopened first in areas where covid-19 infection is low.

Education Watch researcher Manjur Ahmed said, “The study has been done on the situation of online classes and the current education system. We have found here, only 31.5 percent participated in the inline classes. The rest are spending time outside the house in various ways. For this reason, the parents have given their opinion in favor of opening the school soon.