Observance of the International Literacy Day in the country last week coincided with the grim reality that at present there are as many as 53,000 vacant posts of primary teachers in 64,000 primary schools. The theme chosen to observe the day was: literacy in a digital world. It is in this context that the large number of vacant posts of teachers is a cause for serious concern. It is hardly understandable how the government plans to move ahead with improved literacy target befitting a digital world.
The current literacy rate in the country, according to the report on Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics 2016 of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), is 72.3 per cent. The veracity of the figure is often debated given the unclear yardstick to determine a person literate. However, this still goes to show that the percentage of illiterate population in the country is around 28 per cent. Now, when it comes to the theme of the International Literacy Day, as mentioned above, the crux of the matter rests with the dearth of large number of teachers at the primary level who are directly in charge of bringing basic literacy to the masses. There are reportedly various programmes under consideration of the government in the form of non-formal skill development projects. But how does one expect to develop skills without basic literacy that can be had from the primary schools?
The issue of teachers' vacancies was raised in parliament a few months ago when the minister in charge of the ministry of primary and mass education informed the House about plans to recruit teachers as early as possible. This has not happened as yet, and the number of vacancies is swelling. True, filling in such a large number of posts is a mammoth job, especially in the wake of the alleged falling standard of education at the primary level all over the country and the dire need to mend it. The large number of vacant teaching positions should, and for valid reasons, be attributed to the declining standard at primary education level. Though record speaks differently, especially in terms of pass rates in the primary examination certificate (PEC) which is now overwhelmingly on the rise, one has reasons to believe that pass rate is no indicator given the prevailing circumstances. In fact, due to deterioration in all aspects of primary education, parents who should otherwise be content with their children enrolling in neighbourhood primary schools prefer costlier private schools, though many of them find it too heavy a financial burden. It is the pathetic state of the government primary schools that force many parents to shoulder the undesirable financial load.
Given the state of primary education caused largely by shortage of teachers with required qualification, the main focus of the just-passed Literacy Day should have been to address the issue in as practical a manner as possible. Non-formal education or skill development is not likely to work in the absence of basic literacy. And it is the primary schools where the government needs to put the much needed thrust with teachers available to render the service.