Behavioural education and its importance
Saturday, 18 August 2007
Sharifa Sultana
Dhaka University's first year students Raju, Pavel and Sujon are close friends. One afternoon, the three friends were having a good time at TSC. Bangladesh, its people and culture were the topics of their discussion. Listening to their conversation, one may assume that they will solve all the country's problems instantly. Suddenly, Raju spitted nearby much to surprise of his two pals. "What have you done Raju?" exclaimed Sujon while Pavel commented, "You just changed the atmosphere." But, Raju, failing to admit his mistake was simply staring at the other two in surprise.
Similarly, Bony, who is a student of class six at a reputed school in the capital, was returning home one day from school with her mum. On the way, he was eating chips while apprising his mum of his success in two class tests. Having finished the chips, he casually threw the packet on the road. His mum was simply unmoved by her son's action.
Not only Raju or Bony, these sorts of behavioral problems are noticed among many people from all walks of life. Spitting and littering anywhere, coughing or sneezing in front of others' faces and urinating on footpaths are common here. People are not serious about issues like using footbridges and walking on the right side of the road. Lack of awareness and civic sense are the reasons behind these behavioural problems.
A child, according to experts, learns everything from his surroundings while growing up. If any one is taught good behaviour, norms and etiquette from childhood s/he will get used to it and eventually become a gentle and civilised person. A little bit of awareness can make it possible.
How important is it to teach children norms, good behaviour and etiquette?
Dr Hamida Banu, a professor of Psychology at Dhaka University, says, "Teaching how to behave is more important than institutional education because education alone does not make a person complete, but without institutional education one can be complete through good behaviour and etiquette."
Prof Tania Rahman of Social Welfare and Research Institute at Dhaka University says, "When children grow up we hurry to get them admitted to schools and keep them busy with study, singing, dancing or painting, but we tend to be relaxed about the behavioural education of our children."
She says, "A child learns from his family, school and surroundings. As most of our people are poor, they persistently struggle to meet the basic necessities. Therefore, they are least bothered by the behaviour of their children. But, it is sad when we notice behavioural problems among the children of many well-off and educated families."
Hasina Akhter, a mother of two, says, "I always try to teach my children the social norms and behaviour. But, the family efforts do not always serve the purpose due to surroundings. So, social awareness is necessary to address the issue."
Another mother, Raisa Akhter, who works at a private firm, says, "Nowadays, we're always busy with our lives and we can hardly manage enough time to teach the children good behaviour and norms."
"After the family, an educational institution can play an important role in teaching the children good behaviour and social norms," says Prof Tania Rahman. "Sometimes, the educational institutions have to take more responsibilities as there is a lack of awareness among the families."
Commenting on this, Hosne Ara Farid, principal of Parijat Shikhkhangon at Green Road, says, "The sociology textbooks for class three and above contain some lessons regarding behavioural education, which are not adequate. Besides, having behavioural education in textbooks is not a big deal, rather making kids habituated to it is very important. Teachers can play an important role in this regard and to do so they need adequate training."
Gopal Chandra Karmaker, headmaster of Motijheel Post Office High School, says, "Along with study we provide behavioural education to the children. But, on the top of this, arranging seminars or showing short films from time to time can be more effective for which government initiatives are required."
Former professor of Dhaka University Dr Sirajul Islam Chowdhury says, "Behavioural education is part of every education system. Children will receive behavioural education from family relationship, teacher-student relationship and social practices. Kids are deprived of this, as educational institutions nowadays have been commercialised. The teachers should have the enthusiasm to change the things."
A good number of private school teachers claim that they provide behavioural education to their students. A female teacher of Dhanmondi's Sunbeam School says, "Although there is no separate session to teach the kids behaviour and etiquette, the students receive behavioural education during their entire time at school."
According to officials of BRAC and Plan International, two leading NGOs, children at the schools run by them are provided with behavioural education with great care. An official of the education department of BRAC says, "Along with study BRAC lay emphasis on all other learning."
Shirin Akhter, a teacher of a Plan-run school, says, "Children here are taught social norms through cooperation."
Is it easy to teach a child behavioural education?
Dr Hamida Banu says, "Yes. Children learn following others. So, the best way to teach a child good behavour and social norms is to find a role model for him or her to follow. But, regrettably, in our society such role models are very few in numbers.
She says, "Children should not be forced to learn something. If a child is rewarded for the desired behaviour, s/he will be encouraged to do the right thing."
Prof. Tania Rahman blames the influence of other cultures for the behavioural problems of the children. She says, "Due to 'satellite culture' children are moving away from their own culture. This is why it's essential to teach the children about their own culture as much as possible."
-- News Network
Dhaka University's first year students Raju, Pavel and Sujon are close friends. One afternoon, the three friends were having a good time at TSC. Bangladesh, its people and culture were the topics of their discussion. Listening to their conversation, one may assume that they will solve all the country's problems instantly. Suddenly, Raju spitted nearby much to surprise of his two pals. "What have you done Raju?" exclaimed Sujon while Pavel commented, "You just changed the atmosphere." But, Raju, failing to admit his mistake was simply staring at the other two in surprise.
Similarly, Bony, who is a student of class six at a reputed school in the capital, was returning home one day from school with her mum. On the way, he was eating chips while apprising his mum of his success in two class tests. Having finished the chips, he casually threw the packet on the road. His mum was simply unmoved by her son's action.
Not only Raju or Bony, these sorts of behavioral problems are noticed among many people from all walks of life. Spitting and littering anywhere, coughing or sneezing in front of others' faces and urinating on footpaths are common here. People are not serious about issues like using footbridges and walking on the right side of the road. Lack of awareness and civic sense are the reasons behind these behavioural problems.
A child, according to experts, learns everything from his surroundings while growing up. If any one is taught good behaviour, norms and etiquette from childhood s/he will get used to it and eventually become a gentle and civilised person. A little bit of awareness can make it possible.
How important is it to teach children norms, good behaviour and etiquette?
Dr Hamida Banu, a professor of Psychology at Dhaka University, says, "Teaching how to behave is more important than institutional education because education alone does not make a person complete, but without institutional education one can be complete through good behaviour and etiquette."
Prof Tania Rahman of Social Welfare and Research Institute at Dhaka University says, "When children grow up we hurry to get them admitted to schools and keep them busy with study, singing, dancing or painting, but we tend to be relaxed about the behavioural education of our children."
She says, "A child learns from his family, school and surroundings. As most of our people are poor, they persistently struggle to meet the basic necessities. Therefore, they are least bothered by the behaviour of their children. But, it is sad when we notice behavioural problems among the children of many well-off and educated families."
Hasina Akhter, a mother of two, says, "I always try to teach my children the social norms and behaviour. But, the family efforts do not always serve the purpose due to surroundings. So, social awareness is necessary to address the issue."
Another mother, Raisa Akhter, who works at a private firm, says, "Nowadays, we're always busy with our lives and we can hardly manage enough time to teach the children good behaviour and norms."
"After the family, an educational institution can play an important role in teaching the children good behaviour and social norms," says Prof Tania Rahman. "Sometimes, the educational institutions have to take more responsibilities as there is a lack of awareness among the families."
Commenting on this, Hosne Ara Farid, principal of Parijat Shikhkhangon at Green Road, says, "The sociology textbooks for class three and above contain some lessons regarding behavioural education, which are not adequate. Besides, having behavioural education in textbooks is not a big deal, rather making kids habituated to it is very important. Teachers can play an important role in this regard and to do so they need adequate training."
Gopal Chandra Karmaker, headmaster of Motijheel Post Office High School, says, "Along with study we provide behavioural education to the children. But, on the top of this, arranging seminars or showing short films from time to time can be more effective for which government initiatives are required."
Former professor of Dhaka University Dr Sirajul Islam Chowdhury says, "Behavioural education is part of every education system. Children will receive behavioural education from family relationship, teacher-student relationship and social practices. Kids are deprived of this, as educational institutions nowadays have been commercialised. The teachers should have the enthusiasm to change the things."
A good number of private school teachers claim that they provide behavioural education to their students. A female teacher of Dhanmondi's Sunbeam School says, "Although there is no separate session to teach the kids behaviour and etiquette, the students receive behavioural education during their entire time at school."
According to officials of BRAC and Plan International, two leading NGOs, children at the schools run by them are provided with behavioural education with great care. An official of the education department of BRAC says, "Along with study BRAC lay emphasis on all other learning."
Shirin Akhter, a teacher of a Plan-run school, says, "Children here are taught social norms through cooperation."
Is it easy to teach a child behavioural education?
Dr Hamida Banu says, "Yes. Children learn following others. So, the best way to teach a child good behavour and social norms is to find a role model for him or her to follow. But, regrettably, in our society such role models are very few in numbers.
She says, "Children should not be forced to learn something. If a child is rewarded for the desired behaviour, s/he will be encouraged to do the right thing."
Prof. Tania Rahman blames the influence of other cultures for the behavioural problems of the children. She says, "Due to 'satellite culture' children are moving away from their own culture. This is why it's essential to teach the children about their own culture as much as possible."
-- News Network