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Extra Care for Science Education

In this age of information technology, nobody can deny the importance of studying science. Unfortunately, the number of Bangladeshi students intended to study science in school and higher secondary level of education is decreasing day by day. The roundtable conference on the 'Falling Trend of Science Education in High Schools' organised by the Bangladesh Freedom Foundation on September 22, 2012 at the Daily Star Centre was indeed a timely initiative. The percentage of SSC examinees with a major in science has been dropping alarmingly in recent years. The reasons behind students' reluctance to take science as their major in schools lie in poorly written textbooks, lack of skilled Science teachers, insufficient lab facilities in schools and so on. The budget allocated by the government for the spread of science education is also decreasing every year. However, if we want our students to grow up as able doctors, engineers and scientists in the future, then the government should take necessary steps to improve the overall condition of science education as early as possible.

Afzalur Rahman
Department of International Relations
University of Chittagong, Chittagong.

The Wonders of Arts

Photo: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

Thanks to Promiti Prova Chowdhury for her wonderful Spotlight titled 'When Education Meets Passion' published in the September 30, 2012 issue of the Star Campus. Due to their hectic schedule nowadays, most of the people can hardly manage any time to pursue their passion. However, the students from the field of Fine Art and Creative Designs are making a lot of money from professions which actually correspond to their interests. They are also running independent businesses by working freelance via internet. It is said that a nation can be recognised from its sense of art! In my view, the students who are pursuing their passion and profession at the same time are doing a commendable job by turning their inner creativity into wonderful works of art.

Shehzad Aman
University of Dhaka, Dhaka.

Exaggerating the Value of GPA

Due to our backdated education system, which does not support any creativity rather emphasises on memorising, the only thing students care for nowadays is getting a high GPA in the exams. However, GPA should not be the only parameter to judge a student's merit. There should be other criteria like a student's analytical skills, innovation skills and so on. It is very disappointing that many students are admonished by their guardians only because of not scoring a perfect GPA in the exams. I believe, the difference of only a few marks doesn't make a student inferior or superior from the other in any sense. Educational institutions need to focus more on extra curricular activities. Students should try to acquire an in-depth understanding of the books they read rather than memorising them. At the end of the day, one would need a range of practical knowledge along with the educational qualifications to be successful in life.

Nahmida Yesmin Pingky
University of Dhaka, Dhaka.

Plight of an Underprivileged Child

Fahim, an eight-year-old, works in a hardware store at Naeabpur, Dhaka. Like every other child, Fahim wants to go to school and play with his friends. However, fate has played cruel tricks on him as the boy lost his father in his childhood and his mother has been sick since last year. Due to lack of options, Fahim had to take up a job in the hardware store to support his family. He has earned a good reputation with his employers by working with honesty and integrity. However, at this age, shouldn't Fahim be at school rather than working hard from dawn to dusk? I request all the conscious members of the society to help these underprivileged children.

Bipul K Debnath
Department of English, Dhaka College, Dhaka.