Mentoring the Future Leaders

Whenever there is a crisis, there is a challenge faced by the nation; the youth of Bangladesh have come forward. In this era, 44 years after our independence, the biggest challenge of our country is ensuring quality education to our young generation. It is such a huge challenge that our government cannot overcome it on its own. This is where our youth have again taken the lead. A nationwide movement called Teach for Bangladesh (TFB) by a group of brilliant, energetic and dedicated youth have been striving to ensure quality education in the least privileged communities. Their goal is to end education inequity in Bangladesh.

According to the research by TFB it has been found that around 50 percent students who get admitted at class one drop out before completing class five, and only half of those who complete primary education can achieve the terminal competencies set by the national curriculum. In the poverty ridden communities of Bangladesh, the scenario is bleaker where infrastructural facility is scarce and educational resources or adequately trained teachers are lacking.   

TFB, with its highly efficient cohort of Fellows, have taken the initiative to reach out to these schools and provide quality education to the students of least privileged communities. Arnob K Saha, a Fellow of TFB says, "The task of a Fellow not only includes teaching the students in the classroom, but also giving them guidance to be confident and successful leaders in the future."

"So, we do more than traditional teachers do in the classroom and we have to go through extensive training so that we can ensure quality education in our students and can guide them successfully", adds Arnob.

Photos: Courtesy

TFB has been providing quality education in more than 50 schools all around Bangladesh with its dedicated Fellows and efficient teaching-learning techniques by creating an environment of joyful learning in the classrooms. Every year TFB welcomes fresh graduates from all the public and private universities to join as a Fellow through many of its campus based activities. Recently TFB launched a programme called (Re) Imagine at Jatra Biroti in Dhaka where its fellows, volunteers and aspirant candidates mingle to know more about its activities.  

However, TFB's selection process is quite rigorous. "Last year, only 21 candidates were selected to be recruited as fellows out of more than 500 applicants." However, this rigorous selection process is vital to maintain the quality of the teaching-learning process provided by TFB's manpower. 

After filling out an elaborate admission form, which is no less detailed than the admission form of an Ivy League University, a candidate has to wait for a telephone interview. The top 50 percent of the applicants are invited for the phone screening which assesses the candidate's communication skills, spontaneous wit and analytical capacities. In the third phase, the selected candidates are invited to a daylong assessment where they have to participate in group activities, presentations and finally a one to one interview.

Maimuna N Ahmad, the CEO of TFB says, "I urge the young Bangladeshis to apply to the Teach For Bangladesh Fellowship and become a part of the change." 

"The beauty of the Fellowship is that you get as much as you give. Through the Fellowship you will have the opportunity to change real lives, and your own life will never be the same again!" she adds.

In fact, by completing their term, the Fellows also receive a Post Graduate Diploma Certificate from BRAC University and if they complete a thesis based on their experience during the Fellowship they can obtain a Master's degree from the institution. However, the TFB is not just a programme to achieve certificates. It has a long term positive impact on our future generation.

Osman, another Fellow of TFB says, "Our Fellows are not only teachers but also the future leaders in the development community of Bangladesh. Through teaching and mentoring the least privileged students, we transmit the leadership skills from generation to generation."

We hope that the youth of Bangladesh will come forward with positive initiatives to solve our problems following the footsteps of the dedicated youth of Teach for Bangladesh. The Government should support them and provide them with resources and facilities so that they can expand their activities throughout the country.