Although there is a management committee in each school, only 27.5 percent of the schools have a parent-teacher association and 57 percent have the student’s forum (school cabinet). In addition, teachers and parents have no role in school management.
The management committee looks after most of the school's affairs and does not expect the influence of other partners on the school. As a result, parents are often not interested in parent-teacher meetings and school matters.
The information came up in a research report titled 'Reducing School Drop Out in Urban Slams of Bangladesh: Impact of Covid-19' published in BRAC Center Inn on Wednesday.
Plan International Bangladesh conducted the survey among students of different classes in 40 schools and 673 homes of Dhaka South City Corporation. The survey was conducted from December last year to March this year.
The results of the research were presented by Professor and President of the Research and Development Department of the Department of History at the University of Dhaka Dr Mesbah Kamal.
He said, "According to the survey, partners are aware of the high dropout rate among high school children, especially girls in marginal areas. Yet they do not feel it is necessary to play an active role in identifying and preventing this rate. Partners feel that parents are primarily responsible for taking care of students' learning at home. School teachers and parents should ensure that students attend school regularly. Teachers and parents need to be vigilant to prevent children from dropping out of school.”
According to the report, the reopening of the school necessitated the provision of financial assistance and other necessary assistance. Survey participants believe the school must take the necessary steps to ensure that all students return to school. They voted against imposing other fees, including school arrears. Stronger role of local government in preventing dropouts is expected in the research recommendations.
The chief guest on the occasion was the Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Prof Syed Md Golam Faruk. He said, “Corona has come before us as a new kind of challenge. Teachers and students were not fully prepared for such a situation. However, within a week of the school closing, we continued our educational activities through Sangsad TV and online classes. There were technical challenges. We look forward to meeting those in the future."