ZCZC
BSS-17
STIPEND-GIRL-STUDENT(UNICEF FEATURE)
Girl students find stipend programme helpful for their study
DHAKA, July 28, 2018 (BSS/ UNICEF FEATURE)) – The death of Aklima’s
father put the study of the 18-year old girl in a challenge as it was
difficult for her house wife mother to bear expenses of her education.
But, Aklima and her university going brother were steadfast in facing the
challenges and adamant to continue education to fulfill the dream of their
father who had encouraged them to be worthy citizen of the country.
“Last year, we lost our father who was the only earning person of our
family. So, my brother and I were in a difficult situation. But we were not
born to lose. My father taught us to struggle in life,” Aklima Akter, a
student of the Feni Government College, said while sharing her difficult days
with BSS.
“We started doing tuition. It is difficult, but we have no options but to
do so to fulfill the dream of my father who encouraged me to build by career
as a physician,” she said.
Thanking the government for its stipend programme, Aklima said she
received Taka 2,800 as stipend through mobile banking for buying books and
other expenses.
“The amount is poor, but it is very much helpful for continuing my study.
From the money, I bought books and other necessary items,” said Aklima who
got GPA 5 at her SSC level from Munshirhat Ali Azam High School and College
under Fulgazi Upazila in Feni district.
She urged the government to increase the amount of the stipend
considering the demand of the poor students.
Like Aklima, it is difficult for Nahida Akther’s family to continue all
expenses of her study as her father is a retired army person. Her two
brothers are also studying in different level of university.
“My dream gives me strength to continue my study. The support of the
government is very small for a student of science group, but it helps
continue my study,” said she, a student of the Feni Government College.
Physical Teacher of Feni Government College Surid Ranjan Paul said a
total of 204 students (under three groups) of the HSC level have received
their stipend through mobile banking.
“For the mobile banking, students can receive their money without facing
any hassle,” he added.
Talking to BSS, Assistant Director of the Secondary and Higher Secondary
Education Directorate Kamrun Nahar said the number of girl students has
increased at educational institutions compared to their male counterparts
since the government has taken various milestone initiatives in the last nine
years.
“The initiatives, including free distribution of textbooks and
introducing stipends programmed, have significantly contributed to increase
girl students at secondary educational instructions,” she added.
She said average percentage of female students at secondary level stood
at around 53.99 percent in 2017.
As per the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics
(BANBEIS), out of the total 1,02,40,073 students at secondary level,
55,28,992 are girl students.
At college level, out of the total 38,72,960 students, 18,73,619 are girl
students, it is 48.38 percent.
Since 2009-2010 fiscal, total of Taka 5,20,500.39 lakh has been
distributed among 2,90,071,954 students of secondary and higher secondary
levels under four programmes of stipend. Out of them, she informed that,
about 60 percent students were girl.
Female students also did better than male ones at Secondary School
Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations this year.
A total of 7,84,245 female students passed the examinations with 78.85
percent success rate this year while the number of successful male students
is 7,91,859 with 76.71 percent pass rate.
BSS/UNICEF FEATURE/KUC/TAN/1720 hrs