The government has finally taken the decision to extend primary education up to grade eight after piloting the project over three years in different schools of Bangladesh. The decision has been taken in accordance with the National Education Policy 2010.
On 18 May 2016, the government revealed the decision to extend primary education level up to grade eight and the activities up to grade eight will come under Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
From this year, primary education will be from grade 1 to grade 8 what was previously up to grade 5. Currently, around 63,000 government primary schools across the country, are providing education up to grade five, while around 19,000 secondary schools are providing education up to grade ten. Among the 19,000 institutions, 2,381 junior secondary schools provide education from grade six to eight. These schools will now go under the jurisdiction of the primary education ministry.
In order to develop the quality and sustainability of mandatory primary education, government has decided to extend primary education. In different developed countries, compulsory primary education is up to grade 7/8 or more. Due to the declaration of the government, the Ministry of Primary Education has taken this massive initiative to keep pace with the modern world. The present government of Bangladesh recognizes this initiative as a developmental tool.
However, this extension has to face too many obstacles, as this is a new system. To implement this huge step, some massive changes need to be made in the primary education sector. A mixed feelings and reactions are coming from different stakeholders. Some are considering it as a wonderful idea while others are in debate about its rationality.
"In order to develop the quality and sustainability of mandatory
primary education, government has decided to extend primary education.
In different developed countries, compulsory primary education is up to
grade 7/8 or more. Due to the declaration of the government, the
Ministry of Primary Education has taken this massive initiative to keep
pace with the modern world. The present government of Bangladesh
recognizes this initiative as a developmental tool."
From a broad field research it is found that there are too many shortcomings in policy implementation, regarding this extension. In a criticism of this initiative, it is said that, the policy formulation and implementation have too many limitations, mostly the bureaucratic complexities and the lack of specialized information.
In another criticism of this newly initiated extension it is said that, the implementation of 8 years primary education is not that much realistic as almost all the school doesn't have enough infrastructure. Both teachers and guardians feel the urgency of infrastructural change within the school. They think that the learning is greatly hampered because of insufficient infrastructure. Teachers feel the urgency of qualified teachers in their schools as they can smoothly run their activities without having any extra burden.
This is a matter of hope that all the beneficiaries became happy and satisfied due to this extension. They got the opportunity to educate their child free of cost for more three years. They are satisfied with the approach of teachers and other people, and also hope to feel more connected to this if they get the opportunity to play active role within this implementation. Teachers and guardians perceive this change as a positive approach. Both of the party believe that this has improved the quality of education. Unfortunately, there are no monitoring and support from the education office.
Teachers have to work under huge pressure due to this extension. For this reason, their regular lifestyle is hampered even the previously planned academic activities has fallen under negative impact. As there is no infrastructural change, classrooms became overcrowded. Training of teachers, along with proper monitoring as well as adequate official support, is badly needed here. From several conversations with the teacher, it is found that, the support system is inactive and less effective. The authority should provide adequate support including training, monitoring and other logistics support. In spite of this great initiative, extension cannot bring outstanding output due to the poor support system.
The newly initiated extension is appreciated by the stakeholders. Hopefully this initiative will bring a greater impact on the students who will pursue this education and it will also lead them with the inspiration of continuing their study further. With the course of time the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education will overcome all the obstacles and shortcomings regarding this gigantic change and will be able to put a bright landmark in the education sector of Bangladesh.
The writer is teaching at Aga Khan School, Dhaka
