Continuation of regular lessons at primary to tertiary level remain suspended since March 17, raising questions about the future of about 4 crore pupils in the country.
Although the government had taken several initiatives to continue their formal studies amid the countrywide lockdown during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, most of them have proven to be ineffective.
The government earlier this month had planned and launched distance learning through television broadcast programmes for the students in classes VI to X using Sangshad Television channel. The formal academic programme began since March 23 between 9:00am and 9:00pm during the ongoing holidays.
However, students and guardians alleged that they (students) do not understand their lessons properly delivered by some of the teachers from schools through recorded videos.
Besides, most of the students deprived of understanding lessons from Sangshad Television as there is no dish connection in remote areas or not having television in their houses.
On the other hand, Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) also took separate initiative to broadcast lessons at secondary level, but, they did not get video clips due to lack of skilled teachers. As a result, DPE is now in doldrums regarding the quality of education and broadcasting lessons.
According to the concerned, DSHE published routine to broadcast classes for Class VI to Class IX in the first phase (from March 29 to April 2). Then on Thursday, second phase routine (until April 9) was published to telecast on Sangshad Television.
According to the Department of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), teachers, technicians and camerapersons are not available for teaching activities due to the panic of coronavirus. Consequently, classes are not broadcast according to the routine.
The authorities, however, claim that such mistake would not take place in the second phase of their televised programmes.
Talking to Bangladesh Post, some guardians and students said that they do not understand video lectures due to lack of audio clarity.
President of Guardian Unity Forum (OvivabokOikkyo Forum) Ziaul Kabir Dulu, said, “The culture of attending classes through television in our country is not yet created. Many people do not have television at home. On the other hand, Sangshad Television cannot be watched without cable dish line. This facility is not available in all areas of the country. How do they watch TV then?”
Classes are not discussed in detail through television. We do not understand well. So, we cannot complete the homework given on Sangshad Television,” Sinha, a student of class nine told Bangladesh Post.
Asked about the problem, Director General of DSHE Syed Md Golam Faruk said, “There are some problems of taking classes on television. The situation has arisen because teachers, technicians and officials are not willing to attend due to coronavirus outbreak. We are working to solve these problems.”
Last week, the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) called for teachers to register to join the video telecasting programme of class-lessons on their website.
Although several hundred teachers registered at that time, DPE selected only 40 teachers. Now video recordings sent by these selected teaches, are not acceptable as per the standard for broadcasting in the television.
Government Primary School Assistant Teachers Association President Md Shamsuddin Masud said, “Although some teachers did register but they could not select skilled teachers. Video clips sent by those teachers are not acceptable. Such a situation has arisen due to the lack of coordination of the responsible officers.”
On March 22, the authorities were also forced to suspend this year’s upcoming Higher Secondary School Certificate and equivalent examinations.
On the same day Bangladesh Public Service Commission also postponed all its examinations from March 18. Examinations under National University have also been postponed.
