Average turnout at pry schools: Study

An average attendance rate is reported at primary level than secondary level as schools reopened across the country, a new study revealed on Wednesday.
The lowest attendance was in class-IV (65 per cent) and the highest in class-I (86 per cent) in three weeks after the reopening of schools.
At secondary level, the lowest attendance was in class-IX (57 per cent) and the highest in class VI (69 per cent). Girls' attendance was higher as schools reopened after a long hiatus from the coronavirus pandemic.
The study was conducted under the 'Safe back to school' campaign by 21 national and international organisations.
However, attendance of both girls and boys dropped in class-IX.
Education minister Dr Dipu Moni was present as the chief guest at the study-unveiling programme.
The study contains a three-week survey at 328 primary and secondary schools with 1,606 students in 17 districts under seven divisions.
During the survey, the report says, the proportion of girls' attendance was higher than boys. Involvement in economic activity, child marriage, migration, shifting to other institutions, especially madrasa, and loss of interest in studies are cited as primary reasons for absenteeism.
The minister says the government-run blended schooling has reached 65-per cent students across the country during the pandemic.
She agrees that students have faced a learning loss to some extent, saying: "We need a long-term plan to make up for the losses in primary and secondary schools." Dipu Moni lays emphasis on working at grass-roots level to bring back the victims of child marriage.
About 94 per cent of the total students participated in the government-run online assignments and schooling programmes, she claimed.
Access to internet, mobile phone and electricity were among the challenges to cover all the students.
"There was huge pressure from UN agencies and development partners to reopen schools during the pandemic. But the government decision of shutting in-person schooling during the pandemic was appropriate."
"We reopened schools on time. We've lagged behind a bit but we avoided health risks of students," the minister mentioned. She says the school dropout rate is not unusual referring to student participation in SSC exams.

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