PM for one psychologist at every school
The authorities concerned seem reluctant to appoint psychologists at the schools to help the mental development of autistic children despite a prime ministerial directive in this regard. Sources at the ministries of education and primary & mass education told The Independent on Sunday that no steps had been taken to appoint psychologists in schools. More than one year has passed since the Prime Minister’s Office issued a clear order to implement the directive, they added.
The sources said funds crunch and non-availability of psychologists were the reasons why the ministries could not execute the order. This seems a tall order as most of the government and non-government schools cannot even recruit teachers for compulsory subjects, they added.
Earlier, on July 17, 2010, Sheikh Hasina asked the authorities concerned to recruit a psychologist at every school for proper education of autistic children. “If it is not possible to carry out this plan, every school should appoint a psychologist on a part-time basis,” she said.
The Prime Minister was inaugurating a “Centre for Neuro-development and Autism in Children” under the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, at a function in Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the city.
Back in August 2, 2009, the Prime Minister, at a meeting organized by Bangladesh Breast Feeding Foundation, also announced that psychologists would be recruited at all schools and hospitals for the emotional development of children. On December 22, 2009, the Prime Minister’s Office, in a letter sent to the education secretary, had inquired about the progress of the scheme.
Education ministry officials said the ministry had asked the directorate of secondary and higher education (DSHE) to create posts of child psychologist in all 317 government secondary schools, and send a report to the ministry after working out the cost involved.
However, The Independent found that no progress had been made till date in this regard.
Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid admitted that psychologists were badly needed in the schools. DSHE director general Prof. Noman-Ur-Rashid on Saturday said there was a dearth of psychologists in the country. “The topic was discussed at a meeting with the heads of all renowned schools and colleges in Dhaka city. I do not know whether any progress has been made to create the post of psychologist at the schools,” he added.
Shyamal Kanti Ghosh, director general of the directorate of primary education, on Saturday claimed that he had not received any directive to recruit psychologists in primary schools.
-With The Independent input
