The Primary School Project in Comilla Kotwali Thana January 1962 through June 1963

Abstract

A change ~ in the'system of ’ education"has repeatedly been recommended by education committees and commissions, but almost no- serious attempt has been made to experiment with new ideas in education. Though primary education has been free for 35 years, it cannot be said that education has made great headway. A sample survey in one school unit revealed that among a population of slightly over 3000 there was one graduate, one who passed the intermediate, 12 matriculates and 156 who passed Class V. A similar situation might be found in many other places. The, effects of education are not very much felt' in the villages, Education tends to be unrelated to village life. Students do not acquire1 in school any competency in rural occupations such as agriculture and'animal husbandry, and they come to dislike the parental occupations,. They become more urbanminded, and want a white collar job, however insignificant. Many do not even want to live in the village.. Those who drop out of school‘may even become liabilities to their local community, unwilling to contribute their services in the traditional'^dodupationsyet not fitted for wbrk elsewhere. Those who remain in school longer, having received no training in how to earn a living:, have an insufficient and bookish education and are not well equipped to fade life's problems.