'Exam results don't determine life's outcome'
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Outcomes of exams are determined not only by students' preparation, but also by family, society, schools, the education system, and management, said speakers at a programme yesterday.
They also stressed the need to address existing issues in the education system concurrently, while attending a conference held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka for students who did not pass their Secondary School Certificate examinations.
Titled "Challenged Students Convention", the event was organised by Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), which brought together 200 students who faced challenges in passing their exams, along with their parents and teachers.
A student from Dinajpur who attended said, "I failed in English. Both my parents are farmers, and I often help them with their work. As a member of Santal community, I couldn't clearly understand the teachers' lectures at school, which led to my failure. If we had teachers from our community or tutors who understand our language, it would be easier for us."
Addressing students, author Muhammed Zafar Iqbal said, "You are not a liability, you are the asset of this country. Maybe you failed today, but one-day you'll outshine others."
Author Anisul Hoque said, "Exam results don't determine life's outcome. I hope that everyone here today will take their failure as a new challenge and move forward."
Economist Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said the primary reason many students drop out is the lack of opportunity to study at home.
"If we cannot improve the quality of education, it will be impossible to achieve any national goals," he added.
Nurul Islam Nahid, former Education Minister, said, "We need to take initiatives to increase stipends for students, especially for those facing economic hardships."
"Besides, we must ensure adequate compensation to attract talented individuals to the teaching profession to ensure quality education," he said.
In today's world, possessing practical skills and knowledge in specific areas is more important than academic degrees, he added.
Former Education Secretary Nazrul Islam Khan proposed nationalising schools to ensure uniform standards and adequate resources. He also urged authorities to provide teachers with a conducive working environment and better benefits like pensions.
Eminent artiste Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu urged concerned authorities to initiate dialogues among students, parents and teachers to pinpoint reasons for student's failure.
Other recommendations included bolstering teacher recruitment, providing education for minorities in mother tongue, raising awareness on child labour and preventing child marriage, implementing mid-day meal programmes, and strengthening school monitoring mechanisms.
Terming technical education, as the future of Bangladesh, Prime Minister's Advisor on Education and Culture Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury told students to engage in that sector and to take free trainings on different courses the government provides.
CAMPE Executive Director Rasheda K Choudhury said, "Besides students, the family, society, schools, education system, and management share equal responsibility. We haven't seen much regarding teacher crisis. But this aspect also needs to be looked at with importance."
Aroma Dutta, MA Mannan, National Award winning singer Fahmida Nabi, singer Rahul Anand, and Everest conqueror MA Muhit also spoke.
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