Education
Bangladeshi students to get FAU scholarships
The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) recently announced scholarship opportunities for up to four years or eight semesters for undergraduate Bangladeshi students.
FAU is offering scholarships for incoming spring and fall terms to support international students.
To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must apply and be accepted as degree-seeking students and obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent before the first day of class.
The total amount of a scholarship is up to Tk515,031 per year – first-year applicants maximum Tk2,059,592 total and for transfer applicants Tk1,029,746 maximum.
Also read: Indian High Commission launches Suborno Jayanti Scholarship website
Aspiring students must have a completed application on file by May 1, a minimum GPA of 3.5 on the 4.0 US grading scale, and they will have to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Srini Bandara, regional director of Study Group said: "FAU scholarships are committed to supporting students from Bangladesh for their undergraduate studies to further excel in their careers."
"These generous scholarships will enable students to aim for higher education with global exposure and trusted financial support."
There are other scholarship opportunities as well for Bangladeshi undergraduate students.
They include the Depan International Scholarship of Tk6,86,484 and the Depan International Scholarship of Tk3,43,235.
Also read: Higher Study in China: Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students
The applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, English proficiency and evidence of community service or activity for being eligible for these scholarships.
In-person classes at pre-primary schools to resume Mar 15
In-person classes for pre-primary students will resume on March 15 after a two-year Covid-induced closure with strict pandemic protocols in place.
The decision came at a meeting chaired by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Initially, classes will be held two days a week- Sunday and Tuesday.
Read: Full in-person classes at secondary schools to start mid-March
Secretary of the ministry Aminul Islam Khan, Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Alamgir Muhammad Mansurul Alam, Additional Secretary Ruhul Amin and Mosharraf Hossain were present at the meeting.
Earlier on March 4, Education Minister Dipu Moni said in-person classes at all secondary schools may start fully from mid this month.
After a month-long shutdown, all secondary, higher secondary and university-level institutions in Bangladesh reopened on February 22 for physical classes. However, primary schools in Bangladesh reopened for in-person classes on March 1.
Read:DU to resume physical classes from Feb 22
On January 21, the government announced that all schools and colleges in Bangladesh would remain closed from January 21 to February 6 amid a renewed surge in Covid-19 cases largely due to the new Omicron variant. The shutdown was extended till February 20 for the safety of the students as the virus continued to spread.
After a 17-month Covid-induced closure, students in Bangladesh had briefly returned to their classrooms on September 12 last year.
Schools, universities to compensate students for learning losses: Dipu Moni
With schools and universities reopening, Education Minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday said she hoped the academic institutions would compensate the students for learning losses caused by the Covid-induced closure.
“The students have been going through mental trauma for the past two years. Now with the educational institutions across the country reopening, efforts will be made to make up for the learning losses," she said.
"Though it is not possible to recoup the losses in one academic year, it can be minimised. Better days are ahead,” Dipu Moni told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the book distribution activities of classes XI and XII at National Curricula and Textbook Board (NCTB) headquarters this morning.
Read: Primary school students return to campus
“In-person classes for primary school students resumed on Wednesday while physical classes at all secondary, higher secondary and university-level educational institutions resumed earlier. We hope we can soon return to normal academic activities,” she said.
Dipu Moni also urged the authorities concerned to make up for the teaching losses endured by those who passed this year's HSC, through adequate assignments.
Describing the demand of the students of seven DU-affiliated colleges for separate universities as "illogical", she said, "The problem will be resolved soon and the authorities concerned are taking an initiative to reduce the session jam. Exam results will also be published soon.”
HSC exams: 5 institutions witness 0% pass rate
No student from five educational institutions came out successful in this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations while all students of 1,934 educational institutions passed the exams.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday published the results of HSC and equivalent examinations 2021, joining a function at International Mother Language Institute virtually from her official residence Gonobhaban.
Among the educational institutions where all have passed, 736 are under nine General Education Boards while 1,003 under Madrasa Education Board and 195 under Technical and Vocational Education Board.
Read: 95.26% pass HSC, equivalent examinations
Besides, all five institutions where 100 per cent of the examinees have failed are under nine general education boards.
This year, the average pass rate in HSC and equivalent examinations is 95.26%. A total of 13,06,718 examinees, out of 13,71,681, came out successful in the examinations in all the 11 education boards of the country.
On the other hand, the average pass rate in HSC examination is 95.57% in nine general education boards.
A total of 1,89,169 students secured the highest grade GPA 5. Among them, 1,78,522 examinees got GPA 5 under the nine General Education Boards, 4,872 under Madrasa Education Board and 5,775 under Technical and Vocational Education Board.
Read: PM publishes HSC, equivalent exam results
A total of 14,03,244 candidates took part in the HSC and equivalent exams from 9,183 educational institutions under 11 education boards in the country.
The HSC and equivalent exams were held on December 02-30 last year with shortened syllabus.
How to Open a Preschool in Bangladesh?
Education is the backbone of any nation. It is the single biggest determinant for a country’s metrics of success. In the past three decades, Bangladesh has moved from a 35% literacy rate to 74% in 2021. While the growth is commendable, Bangladesh ranks 128th in the world literacy index. It falls short by almost 10% in the world average literacy rate. The only solution to boost literacy is through the expansion of primary and preschools in both rural and suburban areas. This article will focus on how to start a preschool in Bangladesh, the associated proceedings, and legal requirements.
Why do we need preschool in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh holds a 98% primary enrolment rate which is one of the highest in Southeast Asia. Yet Bangladesh ranks low in the literacy rate. The reason is the subsequent dropout of students from the primary level. A study conducted by UNICEF shows that over 92% of the children aged 3 or below do not get into any kind of formal education and only 38% of the children attend some form of education at age 4. Primary education in Bangladesh starts at the age of 5 which reflects the high enrolment rate. The two-year gap between ages 3 to 5 is where preschools come in.
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A preschool prepares a child to be inquisitive. The NCTB curriculum is followed from the primary level bounds of students in syllabus-based learning. It does not allow a child to develop a love for learning. Most children struggle in the early days which shows a general disinterest in studies in the later years. As a result, Bangladesh has a 17.90% dropout rate, one of the highest in the world. A preschool can easily solve this problem by introducing fun and engaging learning for the kid before they step into the formal education system.
How to Start a Preschool in Bangladesh
The process of starting a preschool in Bangladesh is preceded by a number of the regulations. According to the National Education Policy of 1997, the first 6 months of class 1 of primary education is considered a pre-primary period for a student. However, there are not any government-backed preschools in Bangladesh.
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The existing preschool and kindergarten are mostly private initiatives taken by different authorities and NGOs. Since preschools technically fall under the educational institution as an entity, they must comply with the Registration of Private Schools Ordinance of 1962 and the Primary Education Act of 1951, and the amended act of 1974.
Step 1 – Developing the Framework
The first thing to consider to start a school is to create the framework. The process of registering the school happens in the second phase which will be detailed in the next point.
As part of the registration process, any preschool school needs to have a governing body, a building, an appropriate classroom setup, and sufficient teaching and associate staff. These are the primary requirements to be considered for school certification.
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Step 2 – Certification as an Educational Institution
Preschools fall under the private organization category. Asa result, the school needs to register under the Registration of Private Schools Ordinance. Under this ordinance, the school authority/ founding body needs to submit a formal application to the registration authority. In this case, the registration authority is the primary and secondary education ministry. An application fee also needs to be paid during the submission.
It takes about 90 days from the day of application for verification and certification. From the context of Bangladesh, it is important to have the certification to avoid any kind of legal trouble.
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Step 3 – Ensuring Compliance from the Local Authority
The school needs to have a NOC from the neighborhood/ ward office regarding its activities. It must comply with the ward rules and regulations while conducting class activities.
Things to Consider Before Starting a Preschool in Bangladesh
The aim to start a preschool is certainly commendable. However, the aim and the vision only become successful when students attend the school. There are a few key considerations that can help a budding school in its initial stage.
Target Market
From the socio-economic perspective of Bangladesh, a preschool is mostly considered by the middle class, upper-middle-class, and upper-class households. So, the market segmentation should be done accordingly to attract them.
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The Location
It is best to set up a school in an easily accessible prime location. It will help to attract more students from around the area. Also, it needs to make sure that the location of preschool is near the target segment of population for maximum impact.
The Fees Structure
There is a common misconception that having a lower fee structure will attract more students. In the education sector, this theory does not hold. Parents tend to ensure the best education for their children considering the target market for the preschool. To them, the quality of the education gets more priority compared to the cost.
As a result, a higher fees structure can be set up provided that it matches with the imparted education.
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Marketing and Parent Interaction
Marketing is important to reach the target segment. Social media marketing can be a key tool in this regard. Different social media platforms can be used to showcase the teaching facilities, amenities, and different services of the school.
The school can conduct regular meetings with the guardians to keep them updated on different matters and seek their input. It will also make the guardians more reassured about the education department.
The Teacher and the Curriculum
Perhaps the most important aspect to consider is the teachers. Make sure the teaching staff is competent to handle toddlers and have the necessary training for it. The curriculum material should be carefully chosen so that the learning process aligns with the national curriculum as well as make things fun and engaging for the students.
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Final Words
The process of setting up a preschool in Bangladesh requires a lot of planning and initiatives. Yet preschools are an important stepping stone for the students who will enter the primary level of education. It can act as a strong foundation that will certainly help to minimize the dropout rate in the future.
Girl’s family outcast over rumours in Moulvibazar
A family in Moulvibazar’s Kulaura upazila has been declared outcast by a local mosque committee for sending a daughter for education in the United States.
Nurunnahar Chowdhury Jharna, daughter of ostracised Abdul Hai Chowdhury, went to the USA for higher studies on December 26. Rumours such as she married a Hindu boy spread in the area.
Read:Solar posts will soon light up hilly roads in Moulvibazar, says minister
Abdul Hai, being humiliated and shunned along with other members of family, lodged a written complaint with the Kulaura upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) on Monday afternoon.
According to the complaint copy, he daughter worked with a human rights organization. After she reached USA, some people including the chairman of the organization received her. As she posted those photos on Facebook, people in the area spread falae information about her.
It was learnt that, Bhatara Bazar Jame Mosjid arbitration committee during a meeting on Friday ostracized Jhorna’s family. The committee president Shamsul Islam Makhan and general secretary Amin Mia announced the decision in presence of the locals at the mosque.
Kulaura upazila administration held a meeting at Bhatera UP office on Tuesday night. The members of the local arbitration committee were warned at the meeting.
Read: Moulvibazar safari park project gets environmental clearance
UP chairman Syed AKM Nazrul Islam said he warned those who have been spreading propaganda about Jharna.
Krilaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) ATM Farhad Chowdhury said, after knowing the matter, "I have warned the president and secretary of the mosque arbitration committee. I have also instructed the OC and UP chairman to ensure the safety of Jharna's family."
International conference on professional military education commences at Mirpur Cantt
The two-day international conference on "Professional Military Education" began at the Sheikh Hasina Complex in the Mirpur cantonment here on Tuesday.
Commandants of the Staff College of the Armed Forces of South Asian countries participated in the conference jointly organised by Joint Services Command and Staff College of the United Kingdom and the Bangladesh armed forces Command and Staff College.
Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division, inaugurated the conference as Chief Guest, according to a media release of Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR).
Commandants of the Staff Colleges of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, U. K and observers from Maldives Staff College participated in the conference.
READ: Gen Shafiuddin vows to bridge the gap between military & media
The aim of the conference was to discuss and exchange views on various aspects of recent professional military education and to enhance mutual cooperation in matters related to military education.
The commandants of the participating countries exchanged their ideas on Delivering Education in the 21st Century, Critical Thinking, Blended Learning, Leaders of the 21st Century, Human Dimensions, Information Operations, Cyber and Research Hubs followed by plenary sessions.
Qawmi madrasas need to be regulated: Dipu Moni
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Sunday told Parliament that it is essential to bring the country’s religious educational institutions, including Qawmi madrasas, under the registration process of the government.
“Qawmi madrasas need to be regulated bringing those under a single board. It’s essential to make a time-befitting educational system for religious educational institutions, including Qawmi madrasas, and bring those under the government’s registration process,” she said.
Read: Ulama Mashayekh urges govt. to reopen Qawmi madrasas
The education minister said this while replying to a starred question from ruling Awami League MP AKM Rahmatullah (Dhaka-11).
Age no bar: 43-year-old passes SSC exam in Sirajganj
Defying age Rabiul Awal of Kamarkhand upazila of Sirajganj district has passed this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination with a good grade at the age of 43. Rabiul, the youngest son of Sohrab Hossain of Nandinamadhu village of the upazila, appeared in the SSC examination of 2021 (Vocational) and obtained GPA 4.68. A three-time elected member of Ward No 9 of Jamtoil Union Parishad of the upazila, Rabiul was a little bit frustrated as he failed to win the post in the recently held UP election.
Read: UP-polls violence: 1 succumbs to injuries in Sirajganj, 1 arrested “But the SSC results which was published on December 31 washed away my grief and brought me joy,” he told the UNB correspondent. In 1992, Rabiul appeared in the SSC exam under Rajshahi General Education Board. In all subjects except Mathematics he got letter marks. He failed in Mathematics securing only 28 marks, he said.. Being frustrated over the failure, he stopped studies. After remaining detached from formal education for 29 years, Rabiul started to think over resuming study two years back and got admitted to Shahidul Bulbul Technical School and College in class IX under Technical Education Board . This time he succeeded. Encouraged by the success he now wish to continue his study.
Read:Shocker from Sirajganj: In-laws ‘shave housewife’s hair, eyebrows’ Upazila secondary education officer Md Sakman Ali confirmed Rabiul’s achievement. Robiul is the youngest among his seven siblings. Among them, his two brothers are government service holders, one is involved in farming and another is involved in local politics.
Students should acquire skill in technology to face future challenges: Dipu
Education Minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday urged the students to be skilled in technology to meet the challenges of the coming days. “Technology has both good and bad sides and we should be technology friendly and skilled following the demand of the future. We have to make our students acquainted with technology,” she said.
Read: Secondary school admissions: Lottery system for all classes, says Dipu Moni Dipu was talking to reporters after attending the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected union parishad members. Mentioning that the academic activities have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, she said the government has a plan to recoup the losses caused by the pandemic in the education sector.