Bangladesh
School | Ramadan Schools Open during Ramadan: Teachers Unhappy, Parents 'Happy'
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 11 February 2024: In the list of holidays published at the beginning of the year, primary and secondary schools were supposed to be closed during the holy month of Ramadan. The government has suddenly amended it. The Ministry of Education and Primary and Mass Education has also issued a notification regarding this change in holidays. According to the new decision, primary schools will remain open for the first 10 days of fasting and secondary schools for 15 days. Teachers are 'displeased' with the sudden decision to cancel the holiday.
The teachers complained that the government published the list with 76 days of leave at the beginning of the year. At that time, the bureaucrats also complained that the teachers were being given 'more leave'. However, holidays are cut down from among them. Also, teachers get less financial benefits after retirement as vacation department employees. However, parents have given mixed reactions to the cancellation of the holiday. Some call it 'positive'. Many parents also commented that "it would be better if there was a holiday" during fasting.
The Ministry of Education says schools were closed in many areas due to the cold front. It has learning deficit. Learning hours are very important because of the new curriculum's emphasis on hands-on learning. That is why the holiday in Ramadan has been reduced a little.
Coordinator of Elementary Teachers' 10th Grade Implementation Committee Mu: Mahbubur Rahman told Jago News, "We teachers work in the vacation facility department. Because of the vacation facility here, we get less benefits than other government officials after the service. But at the end of the day, there is no vacation. Teaching is not just about attending school throughout the year.
He said taking classes and learning should be fun for students. It cannot be enforced. We will fast and go to class, perform our duties properly. But many students try to fast from childhood for religious reasons. Many may not be able to keep fasting for half a day. They don't want to come to school in such condition. School attendance is very low. Absent students will be deprived of what will be taught at that time.
