| Activities of DPE |
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Activities of DPE 
Steps Taken to Increase Enrolment and Reduce Dropout Rates since 1991 Extensive Programmes were taken up in the Primary education Sub-sector to brig all eligible children to school, get them to complete the Primary education cycle and provide them a quality education. Some of these programmes are listed below:
- Satellite schools were established to bring the schools nearer to the door steps of the children who cannot travel to the main school. A total of 194 schools were established experimentally under the General Education Project. Then another 5,000 schools were set up by 2001. Satellite schools are managed by voluntary female teachers selected locally Through the School Management Committee. Students after completing Class II from these schools are admitted to the mother Government. The rate of attendance of the students in such schools is almost 100%.
- The Government has established less expensive community schools in the areas with no school. School buildings are constructed on the land donated by the local people and necessary facilities are provided by the government. Allowances which partially meet teacher's salary are paid by the Government.
- A
total of 19,428 registered non-government Primary schools are
being managed through the participation of the local people. Up to
June1994, the teachers of RNGPS were given subvention at the rate
of TK.500/- per month. In July 1994 they were brought under
National pay scale and since then they have been paid at the rate
of 50%, 60% and 70% of the basic pay of the teachers of GPS depending
on total service lengths. For services of less than two years they
were given 50%, for service more than two years but less than five
years they were given 60% and for services of more than 5 years,
they were were given 70% of the basic pay of GPS teachers. These
rates were enhanced to 70%,80% and 90% respectively in July 1998.
- Children less than 6 years of age are also going to primary schools in large numbers. It has been decided in principle in 1994 to introduce pre-primary classes to motivate and orient the younger children . It may be mentioned that the kudrat-E-Khuda education commission recommended the introduction of a pre-primary class. In the education policy of 2000,, there is also a recommendation like this.
- Government financed Food for Education Programme was introduced in 1993 to compensate opportunity cost of poor parents for sending their children to school. This helped increase the enrolment and attendance in schools and prevent child labour. About 27% area of the country covering about 2.2million disadvantaged students were under "Food for Education Programme."From the financial year 2002-2003a special programme for providing cash to poor primary school children has been launched by transforming Food for Education Programme into stipend programme. Under this programme, parents of poor students of the primary schools in the rural areas will be given monthly stipend at the rate of tK.100 per month for sending one child to school and TK.125 for sending more than one child . Beneficiaries under this programme will be 5.5 million (estimate). Every year a sum of US$ 115 million will be required for this innovative programme.
- The School Attractiveness Programme was started in 10 Upazilas of 5 Divisions in the country under the General Education Project (1991-96). The programme aimed aft motivating students to go to school regularly and making the schools student-friendly. The number of schools under this programme was 689. The programme was introduced experimentally through NGOs and School Management Committees. A feature of theis programme was to provide poor students, particularly girls, with educational materials, school uniforms, sports equipments and occasionally nutritive food . The incentive was given on the basis of attendance and performance. The main strategy of this programme was to initiate community participation. About 4,00,000 children were benefited under these programme. The rates of enrolment and attendance in this schools increased. The rate of dropouts decreased remarkably in the project areas.
- A total of 3,138 non-formal education centers for primary school age children were established by giving financial grants to the NGOs . The aim was to bring out of school and dropout students back under the fold of educational system. under thes programme 17 NGOs imparted primary education to 4,97,358 children. The participation of NGOs in the government programme and in the field of primary education, though on a small scale, enabled NGOs to acquire meaningful experience.
- As a part of social mobilization, a logo portraying a primary school aged boy and a girl was inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister on 24th February 1992.
- Cub Scouts network is being formed in the primary schools for developing discipline, honesty, charity, and respect for lab our among the students. At least one teacher from each school is being given necessary training to implement the scout movement.
- The mass media like Radio, Television, newspapers are being utilized to involve the community in the management of the schools and make he guardians aware about the importance of primary education. As a result, awareness of the guardians to send their children to school is increasing.
- Primary education Fortnight is observed in all the primary schools of the country to socialize the movement for primary education. The strategy to distribute textbooks in a function organized during the fortnight is to bring the primary education movement into social focus. The functions inspire people to participate in government efforts. The functions also provide opportunity for communities, teachers, guardians and officials to exchange opinions on different school activities. The school thus becomes an integral part of the community. Primary education week is also observed throughout the country to make the community aware about the importance of education.
