In recent times, education lies at the epicenter of a stormy discussion. Over the last few years,across-current of expertise on effective educational management has been critically analyzed at appropriate forum.Accordingly, a series of actions followed in the right direction at a smarter pace to patch up the pitfalls. Yet the ministry of education hasn`t been always comfortable in the way overcoming a lot of unseen odds one after another. And our attainments aiming to ensure quality education seem to remain in the tail back of success track.

Let`s have an insight into the crisis that holds back some smart attempts towards a land mark change in the system of education. Students, guardians and teachers are the primary stake-holders of any institutions. Needless to say that the decaying values degraded the social parameters to such a state that nearly everyone with a few exceptions pursue maximum gains out of minimum investment. A kind of consumerist culture has developed and corruption seeps into almost every institution of the society. It is time we carved out an exit route out of this complex situation.

The ministry of education seems to have struck hard to unpack gradually its ambitious agenda in line with education policy steadily. Promulgation of education law, increasing salaries of teachers and employees, credit stipend-allocations directly to beneficiaries` bank accounts, assertive steps towards neutral recruitment of teachers, deter political interference in governing bodies, making financial and academic management transparent using technology, introducing creative curriculum, relentless efforts to bring down the propensity of corrupt practices at different tiers of administration, ceiling student fees that varies from rural to urban areas and above all, generate desperate attempts to infuse patriotism in young minds were all implemented. Still, situation has not improved in the way that was expected and this requires further scrutiny to detect the loopholes.

First, the social mindset infested with declining values can`t afford to grasp neatly the demand of a learner, and on the other the teachers in general fail either to deliver or guide the young impulses to creativity. In the face of reality it may sound over ambitious, if we expect of them an arduous endeavor to act upon social accountability orif the training inputs or creative teaching skills cease to reflect in the academic activities or digital content preparation happens to become a tool for rather complying with regulations than an allegiance to ethical compulsion, all our efforts to bring about a qualitative change in education will remain a flirting goal, as ever.

We had better invest a critical look into most of the college campuses across the country. To our utter concern we can discover them miserably vacant at the peak hour. It is a subject of concern why the students remain reluctant to comply academic regulations when their active participation is gradually gaining significant dimensions in terms of getting stipends, in-course exam credits, along with many other legal obligations. All we can guess students don`t relate their attendance to obtaining grades. May be, they are convinced in the face of reality that the administrative hurdles can be manageable. Above all, the personality of teachers may not seem strong enough to draw attention. Increased salaries or even nationalization of services can do little to contribute here to repair the damages. The fragile grounds of values seek to challenge any of government initiatives to ensure quality education.

Arrangement of public exams, now-a-days especially where HSC, Degree Pass, Hons and Masters exams are being run, pose a serious threat to smooth functioning of academic activities. Institutions throughout the country enjoy more or less 85daysvacation options, eventually academic engagements are partially or in some cases fully hampered there. The ministry is going to set up in phases separate examination hall at every upazila. If we glance down the issue with an expert eye, there is no alternative other than executing the plan as soon as possible. Often I am afraid lest we should be complacent about fair exams. On the ground of ravaged morality, it is nothing surprising if any trouble shooter invents any by-pass to meet any mischievous ends.Much mobility and attention is needed to ensure a level playing field for every public examination centers.

The incidents of question leak have been reduced significantly, I have reasons to believe coaching practices would be slashed down by constant supervision. It`s worth citingthat it is better to be more humanistic and strenuous in the class room performance than being liberal with a pre perceived bias in evaluating answer scripts. In that case students will get a scope for soul searching rather than be unjustly complacent. It will bring about qualitative improvements in the long run.

The path the authority has travelled in the run up to crank the over hauling machine did not prove congenial all the way. Students took to the street to press home their demand for scrapping added 10 marks against creative questions as we witnessed similarly a year back when the government attempted online admission. I personally believe some vested quarters get indulged in fueling agitation. We should handle the situation calm and firm. I don`t think creative curriculum can make genuine damage to the basic learning process. But the teachers and guardians are the soft areas where we should concentrate. Teachers should be better equipped, trained, committed and convinced. At the same time guardians should be counselled and motivated. And all these activities demand proactive monitoring and vigilance.

Teachers recruitment under neutral supervision is no doubt a bench mark for future achievement. I personally maintain that teachers recruitment in the BCS model is unacceptable. Respecting others right to press a dissent note, I don`t find it essential to groom a teacher to be an officer, rather the aspirant`s aptitude, their authority on his relevant discipline, mental makeup,ideals or morality be better scanned before getting them employed with attractive salary package.

None can question governments sincerity when initiatives have been taken to contain an indiscreet swing towards mush-room growth of educational institutes caring less of their demographic feasibility or demand. Founding schools or colleges indiscriminately on worldly considerations cannot bring good for the society. The decision of the government to nationalize at least one college and school at every upazila, once again carries a strong message to reach the updated quality education to the grass-roots level as a part of its electoral commitment to the nation. But lack of effective vigilance can be counter-productive in this huge area. On the contrary functional monitoring system can remake these institutes to be conducive sanctuaries for building world -class learning environment and nurturing basic human values. I strongly believe that the whole system of education will gradually be nationalized and will come under a uniform umbrella.

Recently educational institutes have to fight out another evil in the form of religious extremism. Differentsocio-economic conditions along with prolonged psychological and idealistic vacuum paved the way for fertile breeding grounds of fanaticism and terrorism. A concerted effort is badly needed to trigger patriotic passions and infuse modern values in the young minds to bind them on a fine line of our rich identity and heritage.

Nobody can denounce that the government has initiated an outstanding effortsto bring forth some revolutionary changes in the system of education. But success of these polices will mostly depend on developing an effective monitoring network. Local monitoring bodies including local government institutions can even oversee academic and financial management of schools and colleges. It is high time we squeezed out our optimum capacity to ensure quality education by 2030 that can help establish a hunger free, peaceful and knowledge-based society in line with the desire of reaching sustainable development goals.

• Amit Roy Chowdhury : Principal, Fakirhat Fajilatunnessa Mujib Mohila Degree College, Bagerhat.