Teaching: Dhaka University style

By Md. Masrur Hossain, Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
12 February 2004, 18:00 PM
Thanks to Professor Zeba I Seraj (February 10) for noticing my letter. She is right that there are of course dedicated teachers who do their best, but they, I believe, are very few in number. I can only remember five of them from the Physics Department who taught an approximate 20 per cent of our entire Honours and Masters syllabus. Would the professor say that it was anyway appreciable?

She has mentioned that in her department there are researches going on which is very good news. I understand the severe shortage of funds to do research works. But this is in no way the answer to our teachers' lack of accountability. I think most of the teachers are learned, but sincerity is something else. Let the students say that there is good research going on and/or teachers are dedicated. That's why I mentioned the 'teaching evaluation' method. We demanded its introduction a number of times in our department, but all in vain. Let's face the truth and let's try to tackle the problem realistically.

I agree that tuition fee is too low. But before introducing tuition hikes, I think the authorities should introduce 'teaching evaluation' to gauge the extent of the teachers' commitment to the profession.