Live Correspondent: Speakers at meeting underscored the need for online schooling to reduce the academic losses of the students due to the ongoing pandemic Covid-19
They made the call in a virtual view exchange meeting on ‘Online Learning’ organised jointly by Rangpur Online School and a2i- Access to Information project of Bangladesh Government on Thursday night.

Director General of Directorate of Secondary & Higher Education, Professor Dr Syed Mohammad Golam Faruk attended as chief guest while Director [College and Admin] Prof Mohammad Shahedul Kabir Chowdhury and Director of – Secondary, Prof Mohammad Belal Hossain were present as special guests.

Principal, Rangpur Teachers Training College, Prof Amjad Hossain, Deputy Director [College] DSHE, Rangpur region, Omar Faruk and Deputy Director [School], DSHE, Rangpur region, Akhtaruzzaman spoke, among others.

The chief guest said Bangladesh has set an example of virtual teaching-learning through Sangsad TV immediately after the pandemic begins to reduce the academic losses of the students. Online, learning has become the demand of the time.

“We need to impart knowledge and skills-based learning to ensure quality and sustainable education,” he said.

The pandemic situation has also created opportunities and made us informed to cope with the present situation and to do something significant. Teachers and students have benefitted immensely attending the online classes staying at home. They also proved their resilience to turn around amid the crisis and to face the challenges of the earth.
He appreciated the move of Rangpur online school as it has created a platform for virtual teaching-learning. The nation will reward the dedicated and sincere teachers for their contribution.

He also mentioned that a significant number of students can’t get access to Sangsad TV and online platform in the country. Equality is very important to ensure quality education. So, it is important to work together in bringing all the students under online school platform during the pandemic situation to minimise their academic losses.

Head Teacher, Kaligonj KUP School Khurshiduzzaan Ahamed, who was also the admin of Rangpur online school page, said, “We started the virtual school on April 9. Teachers on different subjects from different institutes of eight districts under the division have been attending the virtual classes maintaining a routine. The school ranked the highest positions of all online schools across the country at present.”

He also urged the government to grant formal recognition for the online schools, certification for the dedicated teachers who are attending the classes amid the pandemic and provide the teachers and students the internet services at free of costs or subsidized data packs and introduce easy and long-term bank loan facilities to purchase a laptop and other devices.

District Education officers and ICT 4E district ambassadors of the eight districts of Rangpur division were also present in the meeting.

Dhaka, 04 July (campuslive24.com)//bsc