Dhaka, April 6 (BDNEWS) – Guardians of English medium school students demanded a coordinated and balanced policy for country's scattered English medium schools to streamline the education system in a perfect module form.
They bitterly criticised the 'run-away commercialisation in English medium schools in the name of providing modern education' before the government ministers.
They also fired a broadside at the mercenary motive of owners of English medium institutions saying they fleece students and guardians charging exorbitant fees without having any accountability and transparency.
Even these institutions do not have any representations from the guardians in the school management. They never take the voice of the guardians into account on any issue.
The allegations were raised at the roundtable discussion on "Mismanagement and autocracy of English Medium School authorities due to lack of policy and its remedy," organised by Federation of Bangladesh English Medium School Student Guardian Forum (FESGUF) in the city Wednesday.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed attended the discussion as the chief guest while State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Haq Milon as special guest. Advocate Mohammad Shahjada, convenor of the guardian forum presided.
Coming down hard on the school authorities for their 'high-handed' behaviour, the guardians also urged the government to take steps in stopping the commercial trend of the schools.
"Every year, there are steep increases in fees for re-admission, monthly tuition and the costs of uniforms and books without corresponding improvements in curricula, facilities or the training for teachers." said Advocate Mohammad Shahjaha, convenor of the guardian forum, termed as 'illogical' and 'unjust'.
Categorically criticising the authorities of English Medium Schools for their charging excessive fees, Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed urged the education ministry to formulate an effective policy and create strong enforcement mechanisms to curb the abuses of private schools and ensure the rights of children to quality education.
"We should formulate coordinated and balanced policy guideline soon in this regard," he added.
The minister, however, said that it should not any make any interfere in the internal affairs of the schools.
He also said that the curricula in the English Medium Schools should encompass the national identity, cultural heritage and religious and social values to help make the students a "universally responsible global citizen".
Responding on behalf of the Education ministry, State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Haq Milon said: "We have already formed a 10-member committee to formulate a coordinated and balanced policy and the committee have also submitted their recommendations."
"We are reviewing the recommendations and trying to formulate a policy based on those recommendations as soon as possible," he added.
"We also recommended the formation of a nine-member school committee, in which two guardian representatives were included, to assist the management committee in administering the institutions. They should be persuaded to follow the syllabus approved by the NCTB," he added.
According to sources in the education ministry, the number of English medium schools and kindergartens is about 17,000. Despite of repeated warning from the education ministry, only 112 English medium school across the country, have been registered themselves so far missing the fifth deadline on March 31.
BDNEWS/1742 hrs