Research findings on some educational issues

The Foundation for Research on Educational Planning and Development (FREPD), situated on the Dhaka University campus, is a non-political, non-profit, voluntary organisation devoted to research on educational issues. The aims of the FREPD are to promote, sponsor, organise, develop and assist in research efforts on problems and factors having impact on the planning of the quantitative and qualitative growth of education as an integral part of the overall national development.
In selecting research study and projects, FREPD always pays special attention to the critical areas of development education with focus on the central problem of the symbiosis of economic and educational growth to develop and harness the human capital for productive use.
Recently, FREPD conducted eight research studies on various educational issues. Academics from different public universities carried out these studies. Based on the findings of these eight research works, FREPD published a book titled "FREPD'S PUBLICATION RELATED TO EDUCATION RESEARCH PAPERS: 2011- 2012".
Dr. Abdul Maleque, Professor, Department of Social Science Education, Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of Dhaka, has conducted a study on "Educational Opportunity and its Relevance for the Working Children of Dholaikhal in Dhaka city: An Investigation". The purpose of the study is to investigate the opportunity and access to basic education for the working children (7-15-year age group) of Dholaikhal area in Dhaka city. Findings of this study show that there are three thousand working children in the area, and a very small number (3.3 per cent) of them is participating in educational activities. The researcher recommended that both the government and non-government organisations should take necessary initiatives to educate these marginalised working children.
A study titled "The Present Status of Practical Science Education in the Secondary Level" has been conducted by Dr. Satyabrata Roy, ex-Deputy Executive Director (Associate Professor), N-SESDC, Govt. Teachers' Training College, Dhaka. This study has examined the present status of practical science education in the secondary schools and madrassas. Findings of the study indicate that curriculum and syllabus of practical science subjects are appropriate, but 31 per cent schools and 50 per cent madrassas do not have any laboratory for conducting practical classes. There is also lack of sufficient scientific instruments and chemicals for practical classes. Students in the rural areas have little opportunity for practical classes, although they are getting good grades in the practical exams.
 Dr. A S M Abu Dayen, Associate Professor, Department of Bangla, Jahangirnagar University, has carried out a study titled "Introduction of Text Book for the Development of Creativity of Children: A Field Level Study to Assess the Primary Education of Bangladesh". Results of this study indicate that the curriculum of primary education in Bangladesh is not fully appropriate for children. Most of the teachers have not even seen the curriculum. The overall observation of the researcher is that learners are habituated to memorising the lessons included in the books. A research work styled "A Comparative Study between Public and Private Partnership (PPP) for Creating Highly Skilled Productive Business Graduates in Bangladesh" is conducted by Dr. Mohammed Solaiman, Professor, Department of Marketing, Chittagong University. The main objective of this study is to highlight the role and potential of PPP in education for creating highly skilled business graduates for meeting the needs of globalisation, knowledge economy, job market, both at home and abroad, and, consequently, higher productivity and better economic growth in Bangladesh. The major finding of the study is that there is no existence of any university operating on the PPP model. The researcher has suggested enacting a new Act, like public and private universities, for starting universities on PPP model.
 Professor Dr. Md. Abdus Salam and Professor Swapan Kumar Dhar, Department of Statistics, Jahangirnagar University, conducted a study titled "Classroom Variables and Students' Academic Performance in Secondary Schools: A Case Study in Savar Upazilla in Dhaka District". The findings of the study demonstrate that school quality has a significant impact on the students' academic performance, especially on the academic performance related to mathematics and English. The study also demonstrates the importance of classroom to the interaction between students and teachers. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers have suggested that the classroom should be equipped with modern and good-quality educational equipment and teaching aids in order to impart effective learning to the students. Classrooms should be the actual place of learning, and the teachers should follow an effective teaching-learning method in the classroom so that students can depend on their teachers, not on the private tutors and ready-made notes, for their desired academic performance.  A research work on "A Comparative Study of Financing Higher Education at Private and Public University" was conducted by Dr. Kazi Saifuddin, Professor, Department of Psychology, Jagannath University. This study mainly concentrates on the prospect of "Public-Private Partnership in Higher Education (PPPHE)". A major finding here centres round the fact that the commercialisation of higher education is triggering social disharmony between the poor and the rich of the country. Based on the findings, the researcher has recommended a comprehensive PPPHE policy at work between the public and private universities. He also recommended that further research works in detail should be done before taking any decision in this regard.
Dr. Mezbah-ul Islam, Professor, Department of Information Science & Library Management, University of Dhaka, and Minhajuddin Ahmed, Adjunct Faculty, National University Bangladesh, conducted the study called "Information Literacy (IL) and Information Communication & Technology (ICT) Skills among the Female Students of Secondary Schools in and around Dhaka".  Findings of the study show that majority of the students lack IL and ICT skills. As the present government of Bangladesh envisions a 'Digital Bangladesh' by 2021 and various steps have already taken, most of the students are aware of it. But majority of them (61 per cent) do not have any idea about 'Digital Bangladesh'. An important finding of the study is that female students have little facilities, but they have enormous interest in ICT. The researchers observe if the students are provided with enough facilities and proper guidance, they can easily be acquainted with Information Literacy and ICT skills.
A research work titled "A Case Study of Shivram Adarsha Government Primary School: An Investigation of Achievement and Quality Education" has been conducted by Md. Ataur Rahman, Assistant Professor, Department of Theatre and Music Studies, University of Rajshahi. The main objective of the study is to specify the elements of quality primary education, which is considered to be the best for application of the strategies and implementation of the said elements. The study is also aimed at identifying the roles played by institutional, individual and social bodies in the development of primary education.  Findings of the study indicate that Shivram Adarsha Government Primary School has created an ideal example in implementing quality education at primary level in Bangladesh which is the result of an ideal headmaster's talent and skills as well as efforts. Supplementary roles are played by the School Management Committee (SMC), community people, guardians and devoted teachers. Pleasant teaching-learning environment along with appropriate syllabus and lesson-planning is the key to its success.
The writer is an independent researcher.
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