Education and Environment

Bangladesh Observer
25 April 1978

THEREE is no denying the fact that environment has a great impact on education system and vice versa, If education system is the reflection of national hops and aspirations, and through which values, standards and progress of the nation are expressed, then the impact of environment under which the system of education is going to be implemented is very much important, as Max Webber, a great sociologist, observed- “Man is the product of his own environment; so if you change the environment you may change your character”. And it can also be put thus “The success of education depends on the environment; and if environment does not support the system, then the system is bound to fall”. So, sociologists and educationists must be of the same view that on the point that question of adjustment or adoption is the foremost and precondition to the fulfillment of any policy or schemes, however strong and pragmatic may it be in theory or paper.

Bangladesh being a country of the third world is also possessed of almost all the common characteristics of the third world. Economic back wardens, instability, problems like population, food, unemployment low standard of living etc. are disturbing and gnawing her national development. Out present-day education system which was largely the creation of British Government though, after independence, came through some changes-does not, in real sense, represent the national hopes, aspirations and goals, and its whole structure needs to be changed as we are living in a free land.

By the term environment I would like to mean the existing condition of education institutions along with all their apparatus living & nonliving i.e. teaching staff, students, office-bearers, peaceful atmosphere in library, teachers students relations, so on and so forth. As the environment of education depends on different scopes, privileges, co-operations, so our environment in educational institutions may be viewed under the following heads:

1.Public/governmenttal educational institutions and their environment. 2. Non-Governments or private-sponsored educational institutions and environment. 3. University education or education under autonomous institutions and its convincement. Further, government--educational institutions may be divided into:- a) Cadet system education and its environment. b) Non-cadet system education and its environment.

In government-sponsored educational institutions the environment of education is somewhat developed, though not well-developed, Hear institutional apparatus both living and non-living are provided with possible means by the Government itself, Library, teaching staff hotel conditions, student-teacher relations and other facilities are highly protected. The case is more reliable in the field of Cadet College, where especial training and facilities are given to the students and where syllabuses are most modern and up-to-date. A cadet student as a future citizen goes through several stages of development. On the other hand non-cadet Government educational institutions enjoy less facility than cadet institutions.

But the case of private educational institutions that include Primary Schools, High Schools and College (both Technical & Non-Technical) is miserable, Private-sponsored educational institutions constitute the major part of our total educational institutions. Apparatus both living and nonliving is highly absent here. The condition of Science and Industrial arts and other Technical Privileges are so below the standard that students cannot flower their minimum capacities under the said environment. Even lots of teachers have to go virtually without salaries, which hampers continuance of a healthy academic atmosphere. Both government and non-government educational institutions hve to provided with same facilities and amenities.

University education is autonomous and it is mainly maintained by Government subsidy. Environment both living & non-living are also not so satisfactory at all levels. Further, some Colleges have been recognized as ‘College Cum University where both living and nonliving apparatus are more inadequate.

Besides the question of facilities extended by different authorities and Government itself, there are lots of problems, which disturb the environment to a great extent. These include students’ inattentiveness to education, and so on. There is no denying the fact that most of the schools, colleges even universities have failed to tie, maintain and continue student-teacher relations stetting it on a strong footing and this negative scene in due course affects education. In non-government educational institutions rules are more relax able than Government educational institutions. Also in some cases Governing Bodies of School and College authority fail to discharge their responsibilities properly. Local Leadership is a so to share responsibility for the existing condition of educational institutions.

Now, the question is, how can the environment may kept well? It is a matter of gradual development, above all, economic factor is a vital question here. We are not in a position to convert all the educational institutions into public ones or one may raise the question of more government subsidies. We have not hitherto overcome the post-liberation problems. The present government seems to be conscious of the deteriorating academic environment, for which it has set up “Education Environment Committee” The main aims and objectives of the “Education Environment Committee” are to ensure smooth and peaceful condition in educational institutions so that education, without being hampered by undesirable factors, may go on in a full swing. I think if the performance of “Education Environment Committee’, unlike most of the other committees, is confined only to ideal words in paper or document then its appeal is bound to diminish soon. And for the overall restoration and establishment of good environment in educational institutions emphases as such on the following points are needed without a delay----:

1. A pragmatic logical judicious education policy, containing the hopes and aspirations of the nation should be chalked out and implemented;

2. Appointments of teachers at different levels should be done strictly on the basis of merits. Incompetents should not be given any change to enter;

3. Members of the “Governing body” or School. Control Boards of different institutions at different levels be chosen only from among educated qualified, honest and altruistic persons. Opportunists who try to use the institutions to serve their own selfish ends should be kept out.

4. More Science Teachers and scientific apparatus should be sent to different private institutions. In this field rich and public-spirited persons can play vital roles.

5. Unnecessary expansion or establishment of educational institutions on whims should be stopped. Because this only created problem after problems. Even for the continuance of good environment two or more amalgamated. Here strict rules and resolution are needed;

6. Local leadership should be strengthened in the field and educational institutions should not be used for political and social profit of any body.

7. Role of District, Sub-Division and Thane Education Officers should be revitalized. Here, the Ministry of Education should take special care of the different Education Boards.

8. University administration should be properly geared so that unpleasant happenings may not take place anywhere.

9. Responsibility of the guardians is a very important factor that may play vital role in bringing about educational atmosphere. Their responsibilities have highly declined, but unless and until they become conscious of their children’s educational needs State & society can do nothing for them.

And finally, all irrespective of ideologies should come forward the restoration of educational atmosphere- the soul of the nation. We today have to recognize that “A great Generation Gap” is coming; we must face it with boldness and spirit. We have to create and ensure proper atmosphere for education or training of today’s Young for future leadership.