Online class decision ‘suicidal’: Jamaat

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar has termed the government’s decision to introduce online classes three days a week in schools and colleges in the country’s metropolitan cities as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘suicidal’. In a statement sent to the media on Thursday (April 2), he said that introducing online classes without proper planning and preparation can seriously harm students.
The government decided to introduce online classes three days a week in all metropolitan cities of the country, including Dhaka, in a coordination meeting held at the Secretariat on March 31. Strongly criticizing this decision, Golam Parwar said that this system is being imposed on students on the pretext of energy crisis, which can threaten the future of the country.
He claimed that poor students are falling behind due to the cost of internet due to the online education system. Besides, the increased use of smartphones is creating a risk of addiction and moral degradation among students. As a result, teaching in the classroom is disrupted and the quality of education is reduced.
Highlighting the negative experience of online education during the Corona pandemic, he said that various studies and reports have shown that the learning ability of students has decreased and the dropout rate has increased. Students from marginalized areas have been particularly affected.
Stating that the education system needs to be reformed in the current context, he said that such a decision will further complicate the situation. The government should prioritize the education sector and take practical steps. In the statement, he called for the immediate withdrawal of this decision and ensuring regular physical teaching for all students. Otherwise, he warned that the government will have to bear the responsibility.