Feature

SSC Examination of Tiny Examinees

Md. Masum Billah

FOR the first time Bangladesh has witnessed the public examination of primary school students of class five inviting appreciations and little criticisms for the authorities concerned. 88.84 percent students passed in the examination. 6 lakh, 76 thousand 717 students obtained first division, 6 lakh 15 thousand 350 in the second division and 3 lakh 27 thousand in the third division. From 81 thousand 3 hundred 72 schools, 18 lakh 23 thousand 4 hundred 65 students participated in this nationwide SSC examination for our tiny examinees. It is encouraging to see that the number of first division holders outnumbers the second and third division holders. Barisal division saw the highest pass rate, 92.94 percent and the lowest in Sylhet division 78.25 percent. The examination was held on November 21, 22 and 24 in six divisions. The final results were published after 28 days. Primary Training Institutes attached primary schools saw the highest pass percentage 99.21, other government primary schools 89.49, Model Government Primary Schools 95.31 percent, Registered Non-Government Primary Schools 82.50 percent , Community Primary School 77.44 percent, BRAC Primary School 96.39, Children Welfare Schools 62.39 percent, Ananda school 43.65 and others 90.59 percent. This figure illustrates that out of eight streams of primary education the government primary schools stand four in the position.

Out of these graduates 50 thousand will get talent-pool and general scholarship which is undoubtedly an innovative idea to increase the quality of education. Before this system there was no arrangement to learn the merit of primary school nationwide and uniformly. Only the students (barely 40 percent) who participated in the scholarship examination were considered as the brighter students and the schools and teachers focused their attention on them only. The rest 60 percent remained neglected. Now all will get almost equal emphasis in the class. Teachers' responsibility has also been brought under stocktaking.

If we go further into the results we see that 42 percent secured first division. Eight percent of the students did not take part in the exam ions. More than 11 percent students failed. 19 percent dropped out. The exams should go a long way to bring uniformity in the system of primary education thereby to improve the much lamented poor standard of education at this level. The decision to take this terminal examination nationwide was taken only three months back. The guardians and the students could not get enough time to prepare for the examination. Yet, the results were good enough comparing and considering the limitations behind it. The candidates had to sit for two subjects a day which was a huge pressure for them.

One lakh 56 thousand 430 students did not take part in the examination though they registered. As they did not have the certificate they were not able to get admission into grade six the poor guardians were unable to defray their educational expenses for another year. So, the parents cannot afford education for their children. Hence, the government must think of a second option for them so that they do not drop out from the list.

What is more encouraging and meaningful is that 'mofassail' and village primary schools have done much better than urban and metropolitan ones. The first, second and third positions in the combined merit list have been occupied by village students, not the urban ones. Obtaining 593 marks out of 600, Sadia secured the first position from Monohordi Model School. Amongst the top ten schools nine are from villages and one from Dhaka. They have proved that the society makes them deprived of facilities that they need and deserve but they have proved that they can achieve a lot even from the minimum provided. Among the top ten positions 7 have been occupied by girls and 3 by boys.It gives us the clear hint that thousands of flowers are lying in rural areas who need to be bloomed for the greatest interest of the nation .

The chronic weakness in Mathematics and English has been proved once again in this public examination. No student passed from 1 thousand 937 schools. Two lakh students failed and they failed mainly in English and Mathematics though 10 to 13 grace marks were given to boost the pass percentage.

At present in each primary school there are only three to four teachers. In most schools in one shift four hours schooling goes on. It will be removed under the PEDP-Phase ii by 2010. The education specialists say that there must be five teachers in each school and at least five classrooms. They also say that there must be arrangement for food for the children in the schools. Many children come to school with an empty stomach. They need food during the noon. If it is done, they will have a special attraction for school and indirectly quality education will be ensured and the drop out rate will be narrowed. The donors and the people concerned have already showed interest and discussed this matter. Now the main role is to be played by the government.

To conduct such a massive examination is definitely a tremendous job on the part of the government. So, it deserves appreciation from all of us. To conduct an examination of about twenty lakh students countrywide and publishing the results on time really deserves credit. It also proves that we can do many things if we apply our sincere desire and efforts.

Now the time is ripe enough to review the whole situation and take necessary steps to make our primary education base strong. Experience sharing can happen between the best performing schools and the poor performing ones. About two lakh students did not pass. About one lakh and fifty thousand students dropped out. They must be taken to the mainstream education to identify their weaknesses. We have been learning that our education system contains loopholes but we did not have reliable picture to prove it. But this result has proved it. Now it will tell us what remedies we need to take.

(Senior Manager: BRAC Education Programme, PACE)