Due to linguistic barriers and improper academic curriculum, school students of the three hill districts are being deprived of quality education, which causes high dropout rate in the region compared to the national level dropout, a study has revealed.
While the average dropout rate is around 30 percent at primary schools at national level, it is 59 percent in the region, it said.
The study, carried out on 19,446 students of 126 schools in Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Rangamati, also said the dropout rate was 24 percent at the junior level and 17 percent at secondary level in the hill districts.
“The students are being deprived of quality education due to a lack of teaching facilities through their mother tongues, faulty textbooks, shortage of teachers, unfavourable school environment,” it said.
Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), a non-government organisation, has conducted the research this year. About 75 percent of the surveyed students were from indigenous communities while 25 percent were from Bangalee families.
Prof Mong Shanoo Chowdhury, chief researcher of the study, “Situation of primary and secondary education system in Chittagong Hill Tracts”, unveiled the findings in the capital’s Cirdap auditorium yesterday. MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam chaired the programme.
The study recommended implementation of the CHT accord, construction of residential or boarding schools, awarding stipends to students, and recruitment of community based teachers to improve the situation.
-With The Daily Star input
