Don't neglect night schools, they offer a ray of hope

Night schools in Bangladesh are educational institutions that offer classes in the evening or at night, catering specifically to adults who are occupied with daytime work commitments. These schools serve as community-based educational centres, providing an opportunity for working individuals to pursue further education. Graduates of night schools can subsequently seek admission to undergraduate programmes.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Education Information and Statistics' 2020 data, there are a total of 1,147 night schools in Bangladesh, comprising 827 government-operated institutions and 320 private ones.
However, the condition of night schools in Bangladesh is far from ideal. Typically, these schools operate in shared facilities, often utilising classrooms or buildings belonging to other educational institutions during the day. Consequently, they suffer from a lack of dedicated resources and facilities. Common issues plaguing these schools include shortages of teachers, student absenteeism, inadequate educational materials, substandard teaching quality, irregularities in examination protocols, and limited student engagement.
Despite their challenges, night schools play a crucial role in Bangladesh's educational landscape, offering a vital lifeline to the uneducated and working population. Students of these schools can balance their daytime employment with nighttime studies, thereby enhancing their knowledge, skills, independence, and societal responsibility.
Moreover, night schools contribute significantly to national educational metrics, including the education and literacy rates, human resource development, access to education for underprivileged communities, and overall social and economic development.
To uplift the standard and effectiveness of night schools in Bangladesh, several steps should be implemented. First and foremost, dedicated buildings or rooms should be allocated for night school purposes, ensuring a conducive learning environment. Adequate staffing with qualified teachers is imperative, alongside the provision of essential educational materials and textbooks. Efforts should also focus on enhancing educational standards and reducing student absenteeism through targeted interventions.
Furthermore, mechanisms for student participation, feedback, and problem resolution should be established, fostering a supportive learning environment. Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, loans, and special facilities, as well as counselling and guidance services, should be made available to support students in their educational pursuits.
By implementing these recommendations, development and potential of night schools in Bangladesh can be significantly enhanced. It is imperative for higher authorities to prioritise this matter and take proactive steps to address the challenges faced by night schools, thereby ensuring equitable access to education for all segments of society.

Emdad Hossain Sojol
Student, IER
Dhaka University