Survey on 512 schools reveals the institutions lack environment for education
A countrywide sample survey targeting 512 schools found shabby buildings, noisy environment and surroundings posing threat to mental health of students to be common features of most of the institutions.
The survey, all done by children, also reveals teachers at majority of schools inflict physical and mental tortures on students despite the government ban on corporal punishment at educational institutions.
Besides, a significant number of female students fall prey to stalking, which is often a reason behind their quitting school and early marriage.
Assisted by Save the Children Australia, the draft report was prepared by Child Parliament, a national-level children organisation.
The survey was conducted among 1,024 students of 512 government and private primary and secondary schools and madrasas in 64 districts this year.
“The survey shows a dismal picture of education,” said Sultan Mahmud, country director of Save the Children Australia in Bangladesh. “It reminds that ensuring school governance is not enough. Child-friendly educational environment is also very important for the proper growth of kids.”
He said, the children, who conducted the survey, will finalise the report accommodating suggestions from educationists and civil society members and place it before the education minister. “We need to listen to the children how they think of the solution.”
WORRYING FACTS
The surveyors found walls and roofs at 86 percent of targeted institutions damaged. Compounds of 81 percent schools are waterlogged when it rains and floodwater enters into 89 percent of schools.
Around two thirds of the schools are located by bustling streets and students are exposed to severe sound and air pollution. Noise from roads distracts kids’ attention from lessons.
Over 27 percent schools have no boundaries and 21 percent schools are without gates, the report mentions.
Around seven percent schools are located close to cinemas. The vulgar images on movie posters corrupt adolescent mind.
There are video shops near almost 27 percent schools, it says.
Around 68 percent students said they are often tortured by schoolteachers.
Around 62 percent female students say they face or remain at risk of stalking while around 54 percent female students fall victim to pestering on the roads and near the schools.
Three fourths of the students in those schools take lessons from private tutors and coaching centres, the report says.
Around 46 percent respondents say teachers encourage them to buy guidebooks.
The report shows around 74 percent teachers use mobile phones during class hours.
Only 50 percent schools have first aid measures and 14 percent institutions have health check-up facility.
The report also shows children of sex workers suffer mental torture by teachers while the children from tea garden experience otherness.
The report also came up with recommendations including taking immediate measures about the schools located by busy roads and moving the video shops, cinemas.
