City Desk :
Concerted efforts of all government and non-government organizations concerned has become an urgent need for making the country’s non-formal education system effective and meaningful.
The country has a significant level of illiteracy although its constitution recognises basic education as a fundamental right and the universal primary education as a basic state policy.
But it is not possible to bring all sections of the people under the formal education system.
Ziaus Sabur, Consultant of UNESCO, revealed this yesterday while presenting his keynote paper at a daylong consultation workshop titled “Preparation of Non-Formal Education Subsector Programme Document” held at a restaurant in Rajshahi.
He says a large number of children cannot enter the formal education system due to various reasons and a substantial number of dropouts also cannot get back to school.
Literacy and lifelong learning for Achieving Sustainable Development Goal for Education should be the motto of the nation. To this end, inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all must be ensured.
The keynote presenter, however, said a non-formal basic education programme is necessary to address their needs. Imparting non-formal education at hours suitable for them is therefore, the only practical way of making them functionally literate.
NFE provides alternative learning opportunities for the vast majority of children, youth and adults who do not have access to formal schools.
Shaw-Unnayan and Campaign for Popular Education jointly organized the workshop in association with District Bureau of Non-Formal Education (NFE) and UNESCO.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Salahuddin and District Primary Education Officer Nafisha Begum addressed the meeting as chief and special guests respectively with Teachers leader Prof Shafiqur Rahman Badsha in the chair.
Associate Professor Rashed Kabir from Department of Finance and Banking in Rajshahi
University, NFE Deputy Director Rokanuddin Sarker, Assistant Director Anwar Kamal and Shaw-Unnayan President Mustafizur Rahman Khan also spoke.
Rokanuddin Sarker said NFE is an attractive system for the under-privileged groups in terms of accessibility, duration, curriculum and teaching-learning environment.
NFE schools are located near learners’ homes. This reduces the time spent on going to and returning from school. Teachers and students live in the same community.
Most school teachers are women. Teachers and students feel close to each other. Teacher-student ratio is satisfactory. NFE is school-based curriculum reflects the special needs of the children and adolescents, and empowers them to cope with life.
Teaching-learning method is participatory. Learners are attracted to this type of education
because it puts emphasis on songs, dance, physical exercise, drawing and other co-curricular activities.
The school supplies all education kits free of charge. As this education is continuous, it
eliminates any fear of examination. Assessment is done on a regular basis. The school system is regularly supervised. Monthly consultation meetings are held with parents and community leaders.
More than 70 people comprising all government and non-government organizations concerned and other stakeholders attended the workshop and took part in its group discussion putting forward a set of recommendations on how to make the NFE time-fitting and people-oriented.
Concerted efforts of all government and non-government organizations concerned has become an urgent need for making the country’s non-formal education system effective and meaningful.
The country has a significant level of illiteracy although its constitution recognises basic education as a fundamental right and the universal primary education as a basic state policy.
But it is not possible to bring all sections of the people under the formal education system.
Ziaus Sabur, Consultant of UNESCO, revealed this yesterday while presenting his keynote paper at a daylong consultation workshop titled “Preparation of Non-Formal Education Subsector Programme Document” held at a restaurant in Rajshahi.
He says a large number of children cannot enter the formal education system due to various reasons and a substantial number of dropouts also cannot get back to school.
Literacy and lifelong learning for Achieving Sustainable Development Goal for Education should be the motto of the nation. To this end, inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all must be ensured.
The keynote presenter, however, said a non-formal basic education programme is necessary to address their needs. Imparting non-formal education at hours suitable for them is therefore, the only practical way of making them functionally literate.
NFE provides alternative learning opportunities for the vast majority of children, youth and adults who do not have access to formal schools.
Shaw-Unnayan and Campaign for Popular Education jointly organized the workshop in association with District Bureau of Non-Formal Education (NFE) and UNESCO.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Salahuddin and District Primary Education Officer Nafisha Begum addressed the meeting as chief and special guests respectively with Teachers leader Prof Shafiqur Rahman Badsha in the chair.
Associate Professor Rashed Kabir from Department of Finance and Banking in Rajshahi
University, NFE Deputy Director Rokanuddin Sarker, Assistant Director Anwar Kamal and Shaw-Unnayan President Mustafizur Rahman Khan also spoke.
Rokanuddin Sarker said NFE is an attractive system for the under-privileged groups in terms of accessibility, duration, curriculum and teaching-learning environment.
NFE schools are located near learners’ homes. This reduces the time spent on going to and returning from school. Teachers and students live in the same community.
Most school teachers are women. Teachers and students feel close to each other. Teacher-student ratio is satisfactory. NFE is school-based curriculum reflects the special needs of the children and adolescents, and empowers them to cope with life.
Teaching-learning method is participatory. Learners are attracted to this type of education
because it puts emphasis on songs, dance, physical exercise, drawing and other co-curricular activities.
The school supplies all education kits free of charge. As this education is continuous, it
eliminates any fear of examination. Assessment is done on a regular basis. The school system is regularly supervised. Monthly consultation meetings are held with parents and community leaders.
More than 70 people comprising all government and non-government organizations concerned and other stakeholders attended the workshop and took part in its group discussion putting forward a set of recommendations on how to make the NFE time-fitting and people-oriented.
