RAJSHAHI, Jan 21, 2019 (BSS) – Department of Primary Education (DPE) has
implemented various infrastructure development projects involving around Taka
540.20 crore in eight districts under Rajshahi division in last ten years.
Abul Kalam Azad, Divisional Deputy Director of DPE, said Local
Government Engineering Department (LGED) supervised and monitored the field-
level implementation works in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabgonj, Natore,
Pabna, Sirajgonj, Bogra and Joypurhat districts.
He said 1,374 primary schools were either constructed or reconstructed
while 2,223 others repaired and renovated at cost of around Taka 402.45 crore
till December last.
Renovation and repairing works of ten district primary education
offices, as well as vertical extension, renovation and maintenance works of
61 upazila education office buildings were completed with cost of around Taka
10.98 crore.
Twelve primary teachers’ institutes and 64 upazila resource centres were
renovated, repaired and furnished at the cost of Taka 94.62 lakh.
Besides, construction of a multipurpose auditorium in Rajshahi Primary
Teachers Institute (PTI), renovation and repairing works of two other PTIs
are going on at the cost of Taka 11.64 crore. The initiative will supplement
the national efforts of boosting teachers’ competence.
Abul Khayer said 21 schools including 14 in Sirajgonj and four in Bogra
were devoured by the 2017’s river erosion. Need-based steps were taken to
reinstate those to any of the respective nearby school-less populated area
through adopting special project.
Meanwhile, more than 12.76 lakh primary school students received sub-
stipend worth around Taka 65.10 crore till December last in the division.
The students are also enjoying the similar sub-stipend facilities at
present. Students of all primary schools located in City Corporation and
municipality areas have been brought under the sub-stipend facilities for the
first time.
Kalam Azad said students from one-child families get monthly Taka 100,
two-child families Taka 200, three-child families Taka 250 and four-child
families Taka 300. The stipend money is now being disbursed through mobile
banking.
Ayub Ali, headmaster of Ghoramara Government Primary School, said the
sub-stipend is being adjudged as vital means of proper and effective
implementation of teaching learning activities through students’ enrolment in
school, regular attendance and prevention of dropout.
Under the Reaching out School Children (ROSC) Project, 21,955 students
coming from underprivileged and extreme poor families in 13 upazilas under
five districts in the division are getting special allowance for continuing
their institutional learning.
Aanother 1,513 students of 13 slums in Rajshahi City Corporation area
are also getting the facilities. Under the project, students from class one
to three get monthly Taka 100 while students from class four to five get Taka
120 as education allowance.
Besides, students from class one to four get Taka 400 and students of
class five get Taka 500 for school dress. Apart from this, they are also
getting Taka 400 annually for purchasing education appliances and inputs.
Students with special needs get their need-based assistive device like
spectacle, hearing aid and wheelchair.
Taka 50,000 are allocated for each of the upazila. Taka 34 lakh were
given allocation for 68 upazilas in Rajshahi division for the purpose every
year.
All students in school feeding included upazilas are being provided with
a packet of 75 grams nutritious biscuit in order to eradicating their protein
deficiency.
Around 84,000 students in Porsha, Bera and Chowhali upazilas under
Naogaon, Pabna and Sirajganj districts respectively are getting the special
food privilege at present.
With local initiative, students of 16 primary schools are fed cooked
food. Besides, students of all 8,638 schools in the division have their lunch
at a time with supplying food in Tiffin box by their respective guardians.
The initiative plays a supportive role in improving standard of
education side by side with preventing dropout. The students are also getting
the scope of receiving education in an amusement atmosphere.
Pre-primary class has been launched in all schools of the division for
the under six babies. Each of the schools is given Taka 5,000 annually to
facilitate babies to flourish their latent talents coupled with their
physical and mental development.
Around Taka 4.32 crore were given allocation in the division for
decorating and enriching the classrooms with wall painting, toys and other
game materials and sleeper mat.