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The overall attendance rate at primary and secondary schools in Bangladesh has increased significantly over the last two decades but in the same period the quality of education has decreased drastically, according to education specialists and even the practitioners themselves. Planners have especially failed to formulate educational policy to keep pace with global developments in science and technology, while the number of science students in Bangladeshi schools, and at higher education level, continues to fall. It may be worth noting that the falling trend in science students is matched by a rising trend in Business students. The number of SSC candidates under the Science Group category fell from 264,100 in 2001 to 176,880 in 2008. At the same time, those from the Business Group rose from 129,821 in 2001 to 239,441 in 2008. Similar trends are seen at Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and university entry/degree levels. Statistics of the National University shows that 5.4 percent of students enrolled in Bachelor of Science courses in 1993, but the rate declined to 4.6 percent and 3.3 percent in 1994 and 1995 respectively. Hence, the number of science students are falling at all stages of our education system. situation is comparatively worse in rural areas.

Recent baseline survey, conducted by Bangladesh Freedom foundation, shows that 66% schools do not have laboratory and 80 percent of rural school children in Bangladesh have no access to a laboratory. In the few schools that do have laboratories, either too many students vie to use the equipment or the faculty simply bars student access to the laboratory and/or equipment on the pretext that if the equipment is damaged it will be prohibitive to replace. Practical classes for school leaving examinations are supposed to begin from Class IX, but in reality most schools don’t start teaching practical classes until Class X, and mere attendance ensures passing marks. Moreover, students’ enthusiasm for and attendance in practical classes is found to be low. 

Project Details

The project ‘Popularizing Science Education in Secondary Schools’ aims to address the problems of declining interest and standards in science education among secondary school students through a student-led platform. This involves initiating and guiding student-led extracurricular activities that encourage an interest in science topics. The project currently focuses on launching student-led ‘Science Clubs’ that provide space for discussion and experimentation. Students are encouraged to lead and manage the activities of the clubs themselves, with some guidance from their teachers and support from the partner organisations.

Major Activities 

Science Clubs: A total of 100 Science Clubs have been formed at 100 secondary schools in five districts, that is, 20 schools in each district where a partner organization is based. Each Science Club is made up of 51 students, of which 13 students are members of a steering committee. Thus, a total of 5,100 students, along with their teachers, are directly involved with Science Club activities under this project to date. From July, 2011 140 new schools will come under this project.  

Science Fairs: The student members of the Science Clubs arrange science fair in their school ground. The clubs organised a total of 280 Science Fairs at their respective school premises throughout the year 2010. Moreover, PGUS and SALT organized district-level Science Fairs in Pirojpur and Gaibandha respectively, in which the Science Clubs in the two districts took part.

Support and Guidance: The partner organizations helped organize 232 meetings at selected schools in 2010 to inform parents and guardians of students about the club’s extracurricular activities and secure their support for the project. Partner organizations also provided the student members of the clubs’ steering committees with support and guidance in the form of ‘leadership and capacity development training’ for running the clubs.

Implementing Partners