Inspiring example of teaching disadvantaged children

It is heartening to learn about a tutorial centre set up in Jhenaidah to educate underprivileged children for free. Alamgir Hossain, currently a lecturer at a local college of the Jhenaidah town, set up "Shishu Pathshala" some 17 years ago. Since then, he has been providing free lessons to the children who are otherwise unable to pay for private tutors. In this centre, students are not only getting lessons on textbook subjects, but are also being trained in computer operations and essential life skills such as gardening, crafting, etc. Besides, they are encouraged to participate in various extra-curricular activities, such as singing, reciting, arts, and sports, which are essential for both their physical and mental development. The goal is to provide these students a well-rounded education.

What is unique about this tutorial centre is that many children who once studied here (and are now students of various universities) are coming back to teach at the centre, when they have holidays. Another significant achievement of Alamgir is that he has also engaged his wife and daughter in this noble endeavour. In a country where children from disadvantaged communities are still largely deprived of basic primary education, we think such an initiative is inspiring.

We often come to learn about such noble, citizen-led initiatives that, if given proper support, financial and otherwise, can make a big difference. For instance, a few years ago, we learned about a school which was set up for the disadvantaged Manta community in Patuakhali by a group of college students in the district. It was also encouraging to learn about "Anushilon Mojar School" in Khulna, founded by a man who was once a day labourer, to educate the underprivileged children of his village.

Such schools or teaching centres are often founded by people who themselves are or were in financial hardship, and know how education can turn one's life around. These schools, as instruments of social change, thus need to be supported by the government. At the same time, we think that private organisations as well as well-off people in our society should come forward in setting up free schools and other life-enriching initiatives for children coming from low-income backgrounds. Such initiatives are needed now more than ever as students, particularly in rural communities, need to recover the learning loss caused by the pandemic.