school
Afghan girls face uncertain future after 1 year of no school
For most teenage girls in Afghanistan, it’s been a year since they set foot in a classroom. With no sign the ruling Taliban will allow them back to school, some are trying to find ways to keep education from stalling for a generation of young women.
At a house in Kabul, dozens gathered on a recent day for classes in an informal school set up by Sodaba Nazhand. She and her sister teach English, science and math to girls who should be in secondary school.
“When the Taliban wanted to take away the rights of education and the rights of work from women, I wanted to stand against their decision by teaching these girls,” Nazhand told The Associated Press.
Hers is one of a number of underground schools in operation since the Taliban took over the country a year ago and banned girls from continuing their education past the sixth grade. While the Taliban have permitted women to continue attending universities, this exception will become irrelevant when there are no more girls graduating from high schools.
“There is no way to fill this gap, and this situation is very sad and concerning,” Nazhand said.
The relief agency Save the Children interviewed nearly 1,700 boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 17 in seven provinces to assess the impact of the education restrictions.
The survey, conducted in May and June and released Wednesday, found that more than 45% of girls are not going to school, compared with 20% of boys. It also found that 26% of girls are showing signs of depression, compared with 16% of boys.
Also read: Amnesty: Taliban crackdown on rights is 'suffocating' women
Nearly the entire population of Afghanistan was thrown into poverty and millions were left unable to feed their families when the world cut off financing in response to the Taliban takeover.
Teachers, parents and experts all warn that the country's multiple crises, including the devastating collapse of the economy, are proving especially damaging to girls. The Taliban have restricted women’s work, encouraged them to stay at home and issued dress codes requiring them to cover their faces, except for their eyes, though the codes are not always enforced.
The international community is demanding that the Taliban open schools for all girls, and the U.S. and EU have created plans to pay salaries directly to Afghanistan’s teachers, keeping the sector going without putting the funds through the Taliban.
But the question of girls’ education appears to have been tangled in behind-the-scenes differences among the Taliban. Some in the movement support returning girls to school — whether because they see no religious objection to it or because they want to improve ties with the world. Others, especially rural, tribal elders who make up the backbone of the movement, staunchly oppose it.
During their first time ruling Afghanistan in the 1990s, the Taliban imposed much stricter restrictions on women, banning school for all girls, barring women from work and requiring them to wear an all-encompassing burka if they went outside.
Also read: Afghan man charged in killing of 2 Muslims in Albuquerque
In the 20 years after the Taliban were driven from power in 2001, an entire generation of women returned to school and work, particularly in urban areas. Seemingly acknowledging those changes, the Taliban reassured Afghans when they seized control again last year that they would not return to the heavy hand of the past.
Officials have publicly insisted that they will allow teen girls back into school, but say time is needed to set up logistics for strict gender segregation to ensure an “Islamic framework.”
Hopes were raised in March: Just before the new school year was to begin, the Taliban Education Ministry proclaimed everyone would be allowed back. But on March 23, the day of the reopening, the decision was suddenly reversed, surprising even ministry officials. It appeared that at the last minute, the Taliban's supreme leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, bowed to the opposition.
Shekiba Qaderi, a 16-year-old, recalled how she showed up that day, ready to start the 10th grade. She and all her classmates were laughing and excited, until a teacher came in and told them to go home. The girls broke into tears, she said. “That was the worst moment in our lives.”
Since then, she’s been trying to keep up with studies at home, reading her textbooks, novels and history books. She’s studying English through movies and YouTube videos.
The unequal access to education cuts through families. Shekiba and a younger sister can’t go to her school, but her two brothers can. Her older sister is at a private university studying law. But that is little comfort, said their father, Mohammad Shah Qaderi. Most of the professors have left the country, bringing down the quality of the education.
Even if the young woman gets a university degree, “what is the benefit?" asked Qaderi, a 58-year-old retired government employee.
"She won’t have a job. The Taliban won’t allow her to work,” he said.
Qaderi said he has always wanted his children to get a higher education. Now that may be impossible, so he’s thinking of leaving Afghanistan for the first time after riding out years of war.
“I can’t see them growing in front of my eyes with no education; it is just not acceptable to me,” he said.
Underground schools present another alternative, though with limitations.
A month after the Taliban takeover, Nazhand started teaching street children to read with informal outdoor classes in a park in her neighborhood. Women who couldn’t read or write joined them, she said. Some time later, a benefactor who saw her in the park rented a house for her to hold classes in, and bought tables and chairs. Once she was operating inside, Nazhand included teen girls who were no longer allowed to go to public school.
Now there are about 250 students, including 50 or 60 schoolgirls above sixth grade.
“I am not only teaching them school subjects, but also trying to teach them how to fight and stand for their rights,” Nazhand said. The Taliban haven’t changed from their first time in power in the late 1990s, she said. “These are the same Taliban, but we shouldn’t be the same women of those years. We must struggle: by writing, by raising our voice, by any way possible.”
Nazhand's school, and others like it, are technically illegal under the Taliban’s current restrictions, but so far they haven’t shut hers down. At least one other person operating a school declined to speak to reporters, however, fearing possible repercussions.
Despite her unwavering commitment, Nazhand worries about her school's future. Her benefactor paid for six months’ rent on the house, but he died recently, and she doesn’t have any way to keep paying for rent or supplies.
For students, the underground schools are a lifeline.
“It is so hard when you can’t go to school,” said one of them, Dunya Arbabzada. “Whenever I pass by my school and see the closed door ... it’s so upsetting for me.”
School Fire Drills: Significance, Ways to Conduct Safely
To cut the risk of fire hazards there are sets of preventive measures. Still, fire accidents can take place for diverse reasons. The method of practicing how a school building would be evacuated in the event of a fire or other emergencies is called a school fire drill. Fire drills in a school can teach the school officials as well as students about what to do and how to handle situations if a fire hazard occurs in the school. Let’s find out the importance of fire drills in school and how to carry school fire drills safely.
Why is it essential to carry out fire drills in Schools
A fire drill is very significant in a school because everyone in a school needs to take part in regular fire drills if they want to fully grasp the building’s escape routes and the instructions. Besides, fire drills help young students and others to become accustomed to the process and recognise that they need to take fire safety seriously.
Most importantly, this can help to reduce confusion, panic, and any disorderly behavior and it helps teachers and other responsible people to understand their role during an emergency. All school staff have a duty to help students move out of the school during a fire. The practice of remaining calm and organized during a fire can ensure everyone’s safety.
Read Apartment Fire Safety: Causes, Prevention, Ways to Stop Fire in Residential Buildings
The specific advantages of a fire safety drill at school are as follows:
-Remind staff and students of the location of emergency routes, the assembly point, and any specific fire safety procedures.
-Test that fire safety measures properly.
-Estimate how quickly people can shift from the school.
-Let fire wardens have a chance to practice their duties.
-Test personal emergency evacuation plans.
-Ensure that emergency routes and exits are free from obstructions.
-Test your school’s roll calling procedure.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 must provide everyone with information, instruction, and training relating to fire safety. Fire drills are an important part of fulfilling this requirement.
How to carry out fire drills in school safely
Ensure everyone’s presence
Make sure everyone is on board when you conduct a fire drill at work. First, ensure you train the entire fire team on the evacuation procedures and are ready to make the drill a success. Then, execute the drill to take people away from the factory line, their desks, and the warehouse.
Communicate
Your good communication can make the fire drill successful. Make sure that you announce the drill in every place employees will see it like the employee portal, intranet, website, Slack channel, newsletter, and text message.
Ensuring employee communication software covers the most common communication channels will make this a lot easier. Schedule the drill on Google calendar including the information about the fire team and their roles, orderly evacuation routes, and expectations for procedure and behavior.
Set goals
You need to set goals for the drill. Setting goals helps you to improve them in subsequent drills. For example, if your first drill takes 15 minutes to get everyone safely outside, trying the next one needs just 5 to 10 minutes.
You can follow:
-Time from drill activation to evacuation
-Time to report completion of the drill
-A successful shutdown of equipment
Practice the procedure
First, let your fire safety leaders practice “on paper” with an exercise where they describe the evacuation plan to the fire warden. The team must describe their actions during a fire drill and analyze any perceived weaknesses or confusion. As soon as the fire safety leaders understand their roles, they must walk physically through the fire drill.
Then conduct a full rehearsal with other staff. When the staff masters a basic fire drill, the fire safety leaders design more complex scenarios.
Observe and reflect
Conduct a fire drill with a few people who are not on the fire evacuation team. Task them with looking for the following:
-Large groups who are moving slowly or talking with each other
-People who use cell phones or other devices
-Unhelpful behavior like grabbing coats, purses, and bags
Disciplinary Requirements for safe fire drills in schools
It is not complicated to carry out fire drills in your school. Just you need to be regular and consistent. Check out here all the requirements and ways to carry out fire drills in school safely.
-Carry out a fire drill at least once a term.
-Run each drill at different times.
-Ask specific members of staff to observe and make notes.
-Test people’s knowledge of alarm locations to alternate fire escape routes.
-Ensure staff knows how to help students evacuate.
-Ensure you check the effectiveness of PEEPs.
-Make sure fire wardens practice their duties.
-Teach people how to report blocked routes or unclear alarms
-Test your roll calling procedure.
-Correct any issues you identified during the drill.
When to carry out school fire drills safely
Any time during school hours can be perfect to carry out a fire drill. However, it would be better to run each drill at a different time of day so that you can cover unexpected and difficult situations. Picking an assembly or lunchtime may be good rather than during class.
Some Important things to consider
If you want to get the most out of a fire drill, it is important for your school to assess the evacuation process from start to end. The following are important things during a fire drill in your school.
-Let certain members of staff not take part in the drill but observe.
-Ask a member of staff to set off the nearest alarm to test their knowledge of alarm locations and how to activate them.
-Make sure to carry out specific drills under the assumption that one of the escape routes is blocked.
Bottom Line
Fire drill procedures generally depend on the building type like hospitals, school buildings, or high-rise buildings. However, the motto of a fire drill in school is to assure efficient evacuation process, and to identify the problems with the emergency system or evacuation procedures. Besides, fire alarm systems of the buildings need to be checked on a regular basis to ensure that the system is working. Generally, all staff in schools have specific fire safety responsibilities so that they can help students and others in an emergency. Safe conductions of School fire drills can save lives and minimise destructions.
School cricket has new champions: Shishu Niketon
Rangpur Shishu Niketon High School emerged as the new champions of the Prime Bank National School Cricket Tournament after beating Meherpur Government High School by 59 runs at the Shamsuzzoha Sports Complex in Narayanganj Monday.
Put in to bat first in the final, Shishu Niketon finished at 102/10 in 37.1 overs, and later they restricted Meherpur High School to 43/10 in 20.2 overs to lift their maiden title.
Ahmed Tejan Kaibya top-scored (28) for the champions. Arafat Aman Riyan of Meherpur picked up four wickets for nine runs.
Shishu Niketon captain and leg-spinner Shykh Imtiaz Shihab was adjudged man of the final for taking five wickets for 14 runs.
Deputy Commissioner of Narayanganj Monjurul Hafiz was the chief guest at the final and distributed the trophy.
Managing Director and CEO of competition's sponsor Prime Bank Hasan O Rashid, former national cricket team captain and current national team selector Habibul Bashar Sumon, former national team pacer Hasibul Hossain Shanta, Tanveer Ahmed Titu, media committee chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and Iftekhar Ahmed Mitu, BCB umpires' board chairman, were also present.
Roll of honour of school cricket tournament
Year
Champions
Runners-up
Final venue
2021-22
Shishu Niketon, Rangpur
Meherpur Government High School
Narayanganj
2018-19
Cumilla High School, Cumilla
Police Lines High School and College, Bogura
Rangpur
2017-18
Police Lines High School and College, Bogura
Government Jubilee High School, Sunamganj
Sylhet
2016-17
Baliapukur Vidya Niketon, Rajshahi
Kashinath Alauddin High School and College, Moulvibazar
Rajshahi
2015-16
Tangail School and College, Tangail
Dinajpur High School, Dinajpur
Dhaka
School Fire Hazard Safety: Essential preventive measures to minimise risk
Flames, sparks, hot objects, flammable chemicals, and chemical accelerants can increase a fire’s rate of spread. National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments say an average of 4,980 structure fires in educational buildings each year. So it is important to stress fire safety education in schools around the world. Take a look at the following necessary preventive measures to cut the risks of fire hazards in schools and other educational institutions.
Ways to prevent fire hazards in a Schools, Educations Institutions
Smoke detection systems
The first few minutes of a fire are difficult to maintain. Installing automatic fire alarm systems like smoke and heat detectors is mandatory in international building codes. It is useful in spotting fires at times when occupancy in the building is low. Therefore, school authorities should set up fire safety alarms in different places in the schools.
Smoke suppression systems
Fire extinguishers will be useful if they work properly, so it is necessary to check them regularly. In the case of multistories or high-rise educational buildings, where it is hard to access and shift, install automatic sprinkler systems. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), has shown that automatic suppression systems lower the cost of damage by 60%.
Read Child Proof Kitchen: How to Keep Your Kitchen Safe for Kids
Escape route
Having sufficient escape routes out of the school buildings is mandatory in accordance with its scale and occupancy. School buildings should maintain the Bangladesh National Building Code, a detailed set of guidelines for constructing, maintaining, and operating buildings of all types.
School buildings must ensure that staircases, stairwells, and corridors are well-maintained, ventilated, and free of obstacles in order to be effective in an emergency.
Dispose of waste regularly
Waste is a burnable substance and is often the cause of fires. So make sure storing waste bins and wheelie bins in compounds away from the school building and disposing of them regularly will reduce the risk.
Read Stranger Danger: How to teach children safety rules for unknown, unsafe people
No smoking policy
Ensure the ‘No Smoking’ policy in the school that - staff, parents, visitors, students – everyone must cling to this policy. Make sure that students and others related to schools are educated about the fire risks.
Besides, do not store flammable substances-chemistry or equipment here and there. These substances can cause a fire, therefore keep these gear and elements in safe places. Try to keep these things in a locked place, cabinet, or room when not in use. Moreover, fire-retardant furniture and fixtures can reduce the risk of fire.
Test electrical equipment
Schools need to use electrical equipment in drama classes, school plays, or assemblies. Faulty electrical equipment causes fires. So, it is fundamental to do a PAT test regularly to minimize the risk. We often hear that electrical shock circuit causes fire and they are very dangerous. Make sure to unplug equipment at night, where appropriate.
Read Habit of Saving: How to teach your child good saving habit
Fire doors
Schools building must observe proper rules and systems in the case of maintaining and installing fire doors. The school authority must check all doors regularly to guarantee that hinges and seals are in good working order. So, make sure to keep fire doors shut. If the fire doors will not close correctly, they must be attended to quickly, as they are no longer effective.
Fire safety training
It is imperative to train all staff and students of the educational institute about the ins and outs of fire safety. They should know the probable causes of fire. Besides, they must know what to do in event of a fire, and so on.
Moreover, carry out regular fire drills to prevent panic in an emergency. Regular fire drills make students and staff with emergency evacuation methods at little cost. So, it is essential to nominate a fire safety officer in every school building to ensure that this becomes standard operating procedure. When everyone is aware of fire safety, this will reduce the risk of fire as well as ensures the safety of everyone in an event of a fire.
Read Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
Along with these, every school must complete fire drills regularly. This will be great to identify what precautions are needed to prevent fire risks in your school, and what to do if a fire does break out.
Accessible to firefighters
Schools building should have enough space or stand just beside the road so that there is enough space to access firefighters easily. When the fire is broke out, it does not take time to spread. If firefighters cannot access it easily, it would be too late to keep the situation under control.
Collaboration
Any work becomes easy and simple if there is collaboration. As students stay huge time with parents, they can play an important role to teach fire safety rules to their children. So, school authorities can encourage parents to practice home fire drills with their children and prepare them in the event of a fire.
Read Postpartum Depression, Mood Swings: How can new moms deal with these issues?
Necessary steps if fire hazards occur in a school
- Make students aware of immediate danger.
- Sound the alarm.
- Perform any fire drill duties that are previously assigned to you.
- Make sure to Fight the fire with the proper equipment if you don’t want to put yourself or anyone else in danger. But do not fight the fire when it is spreading rapidly or blocking your exit. However, leave the building as soon as possible if you do not know how to use the fire equipment.
- Close room doors and hallway doors immediately to prevent air movement and the spread of smoke.
- Don’t panic. Assure students that the fire plan is going on and remain calm. Make sure you are confident enough as your confidence and judgment are really important and will prevent panic.
- Remember that you need to take school fire drills seriously always. Besides, shift the school when the alarm sounds.
- Continue fire drills on a regular basis. Take the initial fire drill for the school year from early September to October.
- Make sure school employees know how to turn out their work areas and perform their fire drill duties safely.
Read Newborn Baby, Infant Care Tips during Summer
Bottom Line
We never expect fire anywhere in our existence whether in residence or school. So, by taking proper and perfect steps the authorities can minimize fire hazards in schools and other educational institutes. Our above-mentioned tips will help the students stay aware of fire risks and help the school authorities to take appropriate steps to reduce fire hazards in school.
Nor'wester destroys school in Maheshkhali; 3 students hurt
Three school children were injured as a nor'wester, locally called Kalbaisakhi, blew down a school in Cox's Bazar's Moheshkhali Saturday.
The storm destroyed Bangabandhu Private Primary School in Hoanak Purbo Horiar Chara.
The injured are kindergarten students Muntaha Begum, Mobasshera Begum; and first-grader Faria Sultana.
Classes started at Bangabandhu Primary School, as usual, in the morning.
Thirty minutes later, heavy rains, thunderstorms and strong winds pounded the primary school made of wood and corrugated iron sheets, causing widespread damage and leaving three students injured, Rahamat Ullah, headteacher of the school, said.
The critically injured Muntaha was first taken to Maheshkhali Upazila Health Complex and then to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital.
Mobasshera and Faria are now undergoing treatment at Maheshkhali Upazila Health Complex.
The upazila administration will give financial assistance to the school for its reconstruction, Maheshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Yaseen said.
Also read: Nor’wester claims two lives in Bogura
Beijing on alert after COVID-19 cases discovered in school
Beijing is on alert after 10 middle school students tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, in what city officials said was an initial round of testing.
City officials suspended classes in the school for a week following the positive test results. The Chinese capital also reported four other confirmed cases on Friday that were counted separately.
Mainland China reported 24,326 new community-transmitted infections on Saturday, with the vast majority of them asymptomatic cases in Shanghai, where enforcement of a strict “zero-COVID” strategy has drawn global attention.
China has doubled down on the approach even in face of the highly transmissible omicron variant. The zero-COVID policy warded off many deaths and widespread outbreaks when faced with less transmissible variants through mass testing and strict lockdowns where people could not leave their homes.
READ: It’s not over: COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in US
But recent developments in Shanghai have led some to question whether the strategy is worth the tradeoffs. Many residents in the city have struggled to get adequate food supplies during a lockdown this month, while some were also unable to get drugs or medical attention. Some elderly people died after an outbreak at an hospital led medical staff to be quarantined.
The country is now facing its worst outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic in the central city of Wuhan.
Local media reported that in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, the government ordered the suspension of in-person after-school activities and classes. The city government is now conducting a round of mass testing to look for more cases.
In Shanghai, city officials reported 12 new deaths Saturday, all elderly patients with underlying illnesses.
School days shortened for Ramadan
Secondary and higher secondary educational institutes will remain open till April 20 with two weekly holidays, authorities said on Monday amid demand that educational institutions be closed for Ramadan.
The decision was taken at a ministerial meeting on Monday, MA Khair, Public Relations Officer of the Education Ministry told UNB.
READ: Govt primary schools to remain open till 20th Ramadan: Minister
The two weekly holidays will be on Friday and Saturday, he said.
Earlier the ministry requested secondary and higher secondary institutions to continue in-person classes till April 26 to make up for the academic losses of Covid-19 situation.
Woman killed in city road crash while dropping off children at school
A 31-year-old woman was killed after being hit by a bus in the capital’s Mirpur area Tuesday noon while dropping off her two children at school.
The deceased were identified as Sabina Yeasmin, wife of Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Bhasantek area.
Her two children received minor injuries.
Read: 3 die in Dhaka road crashes
Sabina’s elder daughter Humaira Yasmin Ohi is a class IV student of Bangladesh Navy School.
As there was an examination at Humaira's school, Sabina was taking her to school with her younger daughter Rahiya Yasmin Rahi at noon.
Deceased’s brother Md Mamun said when a bus of “Trust Transport” hit their rickshaw from behind in front of Bhasantek Navy Market on their way to school around 1pm Sabina and her two daughters fell off the rickshaw and suffered injuries.
Later, locals rushed them to a local Marks Hospital first and then to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared Sabina dead.
Read: 3 including SSC examinees killed in Manikganj road accidents
Md Bachchu Mia, in-charge (inspector) of DMCH police outpost, said Sabina and her two daughters were brought to the hospital at noon. “The two girls were given first aid.”
Shaky school building in Gaibandha poses risk to students
The students of Asaduzzaman Girls High School and College in Gaibandha district town, have been attending their classes amid fear due to the dilapidated condition of the school buildings, thanks to the negligence of the authorities concerned.
The authorities concerned said the matter was brought to the notice of the higher authorities several times but no initiative has been taken yet.
The school was established in 1966 at DB Road in the district town on one acre area and in 1968. The two-story building was built then.
In 2003, the authorities concerned opened a college section in it. In 1996, the government built an one-story building under the Department of Education Engineer. Later, the authorities of the school constructed the first floor over the building.
There are 1050 students in the school and 350 students in the college. Besides, 20 teachers are providing lessons to the school students while only 11 teachers are available at the college.
The school authorities have identified the school building as risky in 2008 and as years passed on, the plasters of the roof and walls often fell off, creating panic among the school students.
During the rainy season, water enters the classrooms from the roof due to swampy walls.
In 2016, two classrooms of the school building, situated in 1968, were abandoned while five classrooms of the building were identified as risky.
Besides, three more classrooms of the school building were declared abandoned in 2008 while six more were identified as risky by the school authorities, forcing students to attend their classes amid fear of collapse.
Ashfia, a class X student of the school, said cracks have developed in many parts of the school building and they are often scared to attend classes.
Rony Mia, a guardian of Munshipara, said “My daughter is the student of the school and I remain worried after sending my child to the school due to its dilapidated condition.
Many guardians don'r allow their children to attend the classes regularly, he said.
Also read: Teacher shortage hampers educational activities at Ramgarh Govt School
Govt primary school shut after all teachers test Covid-19 positive in Cumilla
Authorities indefinitely shut down a government primary school in Laksam upazila of Cumilla district on Tuesday after its all eight teachers tested Covid-19 positive.
The teachers, including the headmaster, were from Paschimgaon Government Model Primary School in Laksam municipality.
Abdullah Al Mamun, upazila education officer told UNB the school was ordered to close at 12 pm on Tuesday after being informed by the teachers. “It will remain shut until further notice,” he said.
Also read: Classes to go online if Covid spreads to educational institutions: Minister
The Covid infected teachers are headmaster Shampa Rani Saha, assistant teacher Md Shah Alam, Md Ekramul Haque Khondoker, Montu Chandra Cghosh, Umme Kulsum, Bilkis Nsarin, Kamrunnahar and Rubina Islam.
Shampa Rani said she and another teacher were on leave Saturday due to fever while on Sunday two more teachers reported being sick.
On Tuesday my husband and my samples came out Covid-19 positive. Later samples of the other teachers in the school were sent to the upazila health complex.
After all of them tested Covid-19 positive, the upazila education officer was informed about the matter.
Also read: 80% Covid patients in Bangladesh of Delta variant: BSMMU survey
Around 600 students are currently enrolled in the Paschimgaon Government Model Primary School.
It was not immediately known if any of the students has been affected.