Staff Reporter:
The persistent anti-government political programs enforced by BNP and like-minded political parties have thrown a shadow over academic activities in the capital city and parts of the country.
Many schools and colleges in the capital and across the country have remained open despite the blockades but students’ attendance has dropped remarkably. Many guardians are reluctant to send their children to schools and colleges, especially those who live far from the educational institu-tions.
Additionally, educational institutions have been forced to postpone scheduled exams, compound-ing the stress and uncertainty over students’ studies.
The latest bout of the political turmoil saw a nationwide hartal on October 29. After the end of a three-day blockade on October 31, a two-day blockade is currently underway on November 5 and 6. This ongoing situation has left students and parents in a state of panic, with fears of a more chal-lenging political situation throughout November and December.
The implications of this political unrest are most profound in divisional cities and district head-quarters, including the capital.
Many parents expressing their frustration over political uncertainty said they are particularly con-cerned about the safety of their children during their commute to and from school in these chal-lenging times.
Almost all educational institutions in the capital, including Motijheel Ideal School and College, Banasree Ideal School and College, Viqarunnisa Noon School and College Main Branch and Bashundhara Branch, Government Laboratory High School, Motijheel Government Girls High School, Rampura Ekramunnesa Girls’ School, Rajuk Uttara Model School and College, and Banani Bidyaniketan, have reported a significant decrease in attendance.
Some English medium schools have been forced to close indefinitely, while others have resorted to holding classes online.
Parents are increasingly concerned about the disparities between physical and online classes and are uncertain about the upcoming half-yearly exams.
Many parents of children studying at English medium schools in city said, “We’ve shifted to online classes. However, there are noticeable disparities between physical classroom instruction and online learning. With the upcoming half-yearly exam scheduled for November 10, I am uncertain about how this examination will be carried out.” On the other hand, children studying in Play group or Nursery, KG-1, 2 or class II, III, IV, they are not able to do online classes
Parents of students of schools and colleges expressed the dilemma they are facing. They didn’t al-low their children to go to school during the previous phase of the hartal and blockade. They missed a week of school. Now it is happening again. Who knows how long this will last?
The anxiety and concerns of parents are echoed by Abdul Majid Sujan, general secretary of the guardians’ forum at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. “The children’s annual examination is scheduled to be held this month. Meanwhile, the continuous strike and blockade are creating panic among parents. We are afraid and worried about sending the children to school, especially when it comes to traveling on the road,”
Director of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Professor Mohammad Belal Hoss-ain, said that the annual evaluation of schools will start on November 9, with the goal of complet-ing the examination by November 30.
However, if the situation deteriorates, decisions will be made in consultation with higher authori-ties, he said.
According to the previous schedule, the annual evaluation for class VI and VII students under the new curriculum was scheduled to begin on November 5 but has now been rescheduled to start on November 9.
The impact of these disruptions extends beyond the capital, with divisional and district towns also experiencing low student turnout.
In response to the evolving situation, schools have received revised schedules for examinations. Parents are left with no choice but to take risks and send their children to schools despite the un-certain situation.
