Campus Reports :
Enabling environment and equal opportunities can ensure children enjoying their full potentials regardless of gender. Every school can turn into school so that the students can build their future and contribute to the country’s progress, said the speakers during a Model School Fair organized on Tuesday.
The fair was organized by Plan International Bangladesh and SUROVI with the support of Directorate of Secondary & Higher Education (DSHE) under the project Child Bride to Bookworm. The fair took place in the premise of Maniknagar Model High School.
This unique fair was inaugurated by the Chief Guest DSHE Directorate (Secondary) Mohammad Belal Hossain. Around one thousand students took part in this fair along with Government officials, teachers, and parents.
Addressing the event, DSHE Directorate Professor Mohammad Belal Hossain said, Following the efforts of Bangladesh Government, new curriculum has been introduced for two classes in 2023. Teachers are being trained to implement the curriculum.
He also mentioned that Head Teachers play the key role in driving the schools as model schools creating enabling environment for the children. Teachers and parents have supportive role to play here. This cannot be done alone. Integrated efforts are required.
SRHR Lead of Plan International Bangladesh, Ferdousi Begum said, Plan International Bangladesh has been working with several secondary schools following the guidance of DSHE. The learnings should be disseminated among other schools. The learnings need to be made sustainable so that we can ensure gender equity and inclusive education for all.
Syed Mainul Hassan, Deputy Director (Special Education), DSHE, said, there is no alternative of developing smart Bangladesh to compete with the global world. For this, each and every school has to be a model school where all students, specially girls, will have the space to build themselves as skillful human resources.
DSHE’s Assistant Director Md Khalid Saifullah said, to make a school a model one a few things need to be ensured, and these are- gender equity, quality education, inclusive education and trained teachers.
District Education Officer Abdul Majid emphasized on the importance of strengthen communication between teachers and parents.
In the conclusion remark, Ashik Billah, Head of Central and Northern Region of Plan International Bangladesh said, the project is working to reduce child marriage, school dropout, child labour and to strengthen school management through its intervention.
He also urged the fathers to play proactive role in nurturing the children along with mothers so that they can grow up in a gender equal environment at home.
Executive Director of SUROVI Md Abu Taher spoke in the occasion as well.
Following the event, children received award for the best stalls of the day presenting the elements and process of their model school ensuring gender equity and enabling environment.
