A quick win intervention namely Bamboo Bridge successfully implemented by the Paschim Satjan community people of with the facilitation of SHOUHARDO II Program-JSKS staffs mobilization.
Poschim Satjan village situated from Dimla Upazila near about 14 Km distance. This village is nearer to Buri Tista River. It is one of the remotest villages under Dimla Upazila and about 574 HHs are living in this village. Among the villagers 223 HHs are poor and extreme poor. More than 80% HHs depend on agriculture day labor. Most of the time this village effected by different disasters such as river erosion, flash flood, drought etc.
During the period of community consultation program staff made discussion with the community people in a small group & identify different problems. Then the villager’s find out there many problems, problem’s priorities, root cause analysis as a part of community consultation thorough PRA tools. The villager’s realize there major problem is communication problem.
The community people realized and decided that they need to be constructed Bamboo Bridge as a priority issue as well as entry point. They also realized that this problem is easily achievable and manageable with the community efforts. Accordingly they formed implementation committee and responsibility distributed to members for entry point implementation purpose. The entry point implementation committee made discussion with community people and decided to collect bamboo from each household who has the ability to donate by door to door collection and some people serve as a labor who would not donate bamboo. As per requirement of 120 meter bamboo bridge preparation such as bamboo, rope, GI-wire, labor the whole committee collected & managed the materials. In addition, collect subscription as hand cash (TK) money from some people & other people pay free labor. Finally they constructed 120 Meter Bamboo Bridge by community led approach over Buri Tista river canal. In the inauguration of Bridge construction day SHOUHARDO II, JSKS staffs of Abdur Razzak-UM, Abdus Salam-PM, Anima Rani-FF, Shahdat Hossain-IO and CARE SHOUHARDO II staffs of Mafizul Islam-PO, Amjad Hossain-IO, Fayaz Uddin-KMA were also present there with LEB representative, civil society members and community people.
Implementing materials as follows:
1. Big bamboo = 100 Nos
2. Small bamboo = 50 Nos
3. GI wire = 02 Kg
4. Rope = 02 Kg
5. Man days = 50 Nos
Tentative Budget:
1. Big bamboo = 250X150 = 37,500/=
2. Small bamboo = 50X100 = 5,000/=
3. GI wire = 02X100 = 200/=
4. Rope = 02X120 = 240/=
5. Man days = 50X150 = 7500/=
Total taka = 50,440/=
Poschim Satjan village is connected with Poschim Salhati village. The villagers are able to move in the Bazar of Poschim Salhati and also make communication with other places of Dimla upazilla. Through the Bridge they got access to market and link with different SP’s. The community people are now able to receive different service from NBDs.
In future the community people will play as proactive problem solver in their community. This type of works achievement also inspiring and reflecting others neighbor community. At a certain period other’s community initiated the road repairing work by community led approach.
Tarakshaharhat RNGPS a Rural School of Satnala Union of Chirirbandar Upazila. It is situated beside the Isamoti River near Tarakshaharhat. The people of this area are very poor and most of them are day labourer and farmer. The rate of literacy if this village is very poor.
Students performing daily assembly
Some interested people of this remote area feel the necessity of learning and established this school on 1972. As the literacy is very low and people were not aware enough. The involvement of the mass people of the community was not visible. The parents sent their children to school as the elite person requested to dao so but not interested to take care of the learning of their children. The SMC was not also proper functioning and no PTA was there. As the parents were int interested in children’s learning and care the attendance rate was low. The average attendance was below 90% hence children of this area are not enrolled in school 100%. The school was established but there are many limitations like inadequate teaching learning materials, safe water facility as the attendance rate was low. A part of this few students attends Primary Somapony exam (PSC). The result of PSC was not also satisfactory. In 2009 PSC result was 54%, in 2010 PSC result was 90.91%, in 2011, 90.19% and in 2012 PSC result was 100%. Present head teachers of this school was very potential. He tried to get better results, better enrollment and good physical infrastructure of the school. He always seek support from GO and NGO for betterment the school as a whole.
Visitors talk with students
In response to the present Head Teacher’s request JSKS support to the community and school for ensuring quality education under its School Improvement Project. This project is supported by Plan Bangladesh. JKSK has started her support in the school from 2006 till now is continuing its support. Through this project JSKS supporting Shishu Bikash Kendro, Pre-school , reflective and joyful learning, Reading-guarantee initiative, Effective instructional materials, teacher education (training), inclusive education, student assessment reform, effective and participatory school management, Student council, Children managed school library, school health & sanitation, Learn Without Fear (LWF), and various co-curricular activities.
JSKS believes that all children have the potentiality and if they get the opportunity they will do better and the children of this school have proved this.
Now the school has the potential SMC, PTA and SLIP committee and they are known their responsibilities and they work for betterment of the school. They organized and conduct meeting, visit school, linkage with GO,NGO regularly.
The active student’s council of the school published regular wall magazine, arranged various cultural activities, maintain personal and environmental hygiene and maintain school library as well.
The school improved the teaching learning process, have adequate teaching learning materials which is used by the teacher in class room as regular basis. Attendance rate goes up 98% and the Primary Somapony result is 100%.
The present head teacher-Mr. Brozendro Nath Singho says” from 1989 I was the assistant teacher of this school, became Head teacher in 2010 and also a member of the Community Based Organization (CBO) member from 2001 till now. I came to know that JSKS supports to the community and school for ensuring quality education with the assistance of Plan Bangladesh, I seek support from JSKS from for Shishu Bikash Kendro, Pre-school and School Improvement Planning (SIP) support and JSKS accept my request Now parents are more aware about children’s care. because every month the school organized parents meeting/mother gathering, the school have the active student’s council, have safe water facilities, adequate teaching learning materials and now the rate of passing Primary Somapony is 100%. I thanked JSKS as well as Plan Bangladesh for providing the support.”
The School Management Committee (SMC) Chairman –Mr.Md. Mynuddin Shah says” I am proud of our school Tarakshaharhat RNGPS. Though earlier the school has many problems such as the SMC members were not about their roles and responsibilities, parents were not visit the school, were not available play materials etc. From 2010 we the SMC members, parents, students, CBO members, UP members, local elites prepared the School Improvement Planning. Based on the planning we have done the work where JSKS always support us for giving suggestion and various training. As a result the school is better than earlier.”
The Cashier of Community Based Organization (CBO) –Mr.Manik Chandro Roy Says” now many people visit our school, earlier 3-4 years children were not involve any learning session but now the children involve in Shishu Bikash Kendro (SBK). In SBK, children are reciting rhyme, they can indentify colors. Now we arranged various day observations. The students are attending the school regularly. We the SMC member meets in monthly basis. In this year the school got 100% pass.”
The Student Council Member and student of class Five -Shyamol- says” Our school is very beautiful. We the student council member published wall magazine in bi-monthly which was written by students and managed by student council. We like to do the work. Every year JSKS give us various play materials, story books. We can play and read nice story books and in our leisure time.”
PS teacher conducting class
The student name Adoya, student of class Four says” We all are free from fear. Our teachers never bit us. We can say our opinion through our opinion box. When we feel any problems/bad we write that put it in the box then the committee minimizes the problems. Our teacher teaches us through various colorful and attractive materials. When we are unable to understand teacher teaches us smoothly. We can drink safe water. Our school is very nice.”
Saiful’s home is a slam type of area Siddiq para at Chirirbandar Upazila’s in Dinajpur district. There was unhealthy un-sanitized environment. There was no any scope of town-age and other hand no scope of village’s normal environments. Most of the people were illiterate and they can’t interest for their child education. A special need child (Listening & speaking both) Saiful was born there at 10 Feb’2001. In that situation Saiful struggle to win education and now he prepare himself as a grade five final exam.
Saiful’s father is a day manual labor. Most of the time he don’t go any works, it is his personal wish or no work purpose. So he does works at list 3-4 day in a week. Saiful’s Mother Salma Begum is a literate (Arabi) woman; he teaches other women’s Arabi literacy and earns some money. He also some time cloth cutting & swing in her house. She spends all money for her 4 child (2sons & 2doughters), grandmother and husband’s purpose.
2007 when Saiful’s age 06 saiful’s father go to primary school with son for admission in the school. But he fails because his son listening & speaking impaired. School teacher said we don’t capable teach him so we do not admission him. Then saiful’s father think that my son’s will not schooling in his life.
Teacher helps Saiful (Green Shirt)
In 2008 JSKS start & implement a Siddique para pre-school (PS) (5+ to 6years age) on the technical support from Plan International Bangladesh, Chirirbandar Program Unit, Dinajpur. For child admission in Siddique para PS Community Learning Resource Person (CLRP) / server go to the Saiful’s home and ask them PS aged any child in your house? Saiful’s mother says no. CLRP see Saiful sat in his room then CLRP ask his age and where he read? Mother says his age now 7 and his father go to school last year for admission but teacher can’t admission him. CLRP says if you agree with us, we admission him in our PS. Saiful’s mother agree with happy and admission in Siddique para pre-school at 2008. His admission in PS others parents and children were not happy in cause of his listening & speaking impaired. After his admission all children and parents call him mad, foolish, dam etc. In this situation JSKS call a parents meeting with support of Plan International Bangladesh and Village Development Committee (VDC). All we were discussed this issue after those parents were happy and help us. We also discussed with other students and they agreed him as a friend. Saiful also proved through self attitude & competencies as a good friend in pre-school’s all students. After one year graduated from PS he achieved pre-school all competencies. His not specking Bangoli letter but he write it and also number 1-20. He shows acting rhyme, write- name, father’s name, and address. His hand writing is very fine and he can lead a team as a team leader.
After graduation from PS his mother again go to school for his admission in grate one class. Head teacher again said we don’t capable teach him so we do not admission him. After that his mother had known us this subject. Then JSKS communicate with School teachers, Plan International Bangladesh, Union Porishod (UP), SMC and VDC members and call a meeting. As per meetings decision Saiful admission class one in Purba Nasratpur GPS. After some days JSKS’s another project’s (Children with Disability-CWD) support arrange one school teachers 15 days training in Dhaka on teaching pedagogy of disabled children. There was attending a teacher and trained up. Saiful successfully promotion class to upper class and now his preparation himself grade five PSC final exams.
Saiful play football (Green Shirt)
Saiful is a good student at the same time he is a good footballer and also good cricketer. In the cricket he expert bating & balling both sides. On the play all are expect him as a partner player because he is a bright player. Teachers are help and support him as their end expertise. Saiful understanding teacher and known person’s talk through pronounce, body language, acting hand & eyes etc. JSKS continuing fallow up him time to time.
Saiful’s homes any member don’t know sign language but his younger brother, sister, mother and father everybody easy communicate with his. Home members as an interpreter for communicate with saiful and outsider persons.
School teacher says he will earn good result in coming PSC’13, he is a brilliant and if he gets holistic support he will be success in life. He earned good result in his previous class. It is influence in the community for positive scene. As a result 4-5 impaired child parent’s admission in this school their own children and teachers also admit them. Now in this school’s different type of 05 impaired child reading in different class. We see positive role in this purpose of teachers and SMCs. It is the highlighted bright example for our Primary Education in Bangladesh.
Saiful Islam
TC-ECCD
JSKS, Dinajpur
প্রতিবন্ধীতাকে জয় করেছে সাইফুল
দিনাজপুর জেলার চিরিরবন্দর উপজেলার রানীরবন্দর বাজারের সিদ্দিক পাড়া বস্তিতে গাদাগাদি করে থাকা, এক অস্বাস্থ্যকর পরিবেশে সাইফুলের বাড়ি। শহরতলীর নাগরিক সুবিধাও নেই আবার গ্রামের প্রাকৃতিক পরিবেশও নেই। স্থানীয় বেশির ভাগ মানুষই লেখা পড়া জানে না এবং শিশুদের লেখা পড়ার প্রতিও তাদের তেমন গুরুত্ব দেয় না। বাক ও শ্রবন প্রতিবন্ধী সাইফুল এরুপ পরিবেশে ১০ ফেব্রুয়ারী ২০০১ সালে জন্ম গ্রহন করে বর্তমানে ৫ম শ্রেনীর সমাপনি পরিক্ষার্থী হিসেবে নিজেকে প্রস্তত করছে।
সাইফুলের বাবা জিকরুল হক একজন দিনমজুর । তিনি ইচ্ছায় অনিচ্ছায় প্রায় সময়ই কাজে যেতেন না তাই সপ্তাহে গড়ে ২/৩ দিনের বেশি তার কাজ জুটত না। মা ছালমা বেগম মহল্লায় মহল্লায় মহিলাদের আরবি পড়ান ও বাড়িতে কাপড় সেলাই করে যা পান তা দিয়ে ৪ সন্তান, শাশুড়ি- স্বামীসহ কোন রকমে সংসার চালান।
সাইফুলের বয়স যখন প্রায় ৬ বছর তখন বাক প্রতিবন্ধীতার জন্য অনেক চেষ্টা করেও স্কুলে ভর্তি করাতে বিফল হয় সাইফুলের বাবা। তার বাবা বাড়ির আসে পাশের সকল স্কুলের সাথে যোগাযোগ করেন। কিন্তু ছেলেকে কোন স্কুলে ভর্তি করাতে ব্যার্থ হয়ে মনে করেন যে এই ছেলেকে আর লেখা পড়া করাতে পারব না।
২০০৮ সালে বাড়ির পাশে প্ল্যান বাংলাদেশের সহযোগিতায় জেএসকেএস পরিচালিত সিদ্দিক পাড়া প্রি-স্কুল (৫-৬বছর) করা হয়। প্রি-স্কুলে ভর্তির জন্য শিশু জরিপে সাইফুলদের বাড়িতে গেলে তার বাবা জানায় ঐ বয়সের কোন শিশু নেই। জরিপকারী সাইফুলকে দেখিয়ে বলে ওর বয়স কত এবং কোথায় পড়ে? সাইফুলের মা জানায় ওর বয়স ৭ বছর এবং ওর বাবা স্কুলে নিয়ে গেছে কিন্তু বোবা ছেলেকে স্যাররা ভর্তি করায় নাই। তখন তাকে সিদ্দিক পাড়া প্রি-স্কুলে ভর্তি করা হয়। তাকে প্রি-স্কুলে ভর্তি করাতে অন্য অভিভাবক ও শিশুরা কেউই বিষয়টিকে ভালোভাবে গ্রহণ করে নাই কারণ সে কথা বলতে পারে না। কিন্তু প্ল্যান বাংলাদেশ ও জেএসকেএস এর সার্বিক সহযোগিতা ও অভিভাবক সভায় বিষয়টি নিয়ে আলোচনার পর অভিভাবকরা বিষয়টিকে স্বাভাবিক ভাবে গ্রহণ করেন।এরপর শিশুদেরকেও বিষয়টি বুঝানো হয় তারাও তখন তাকে বন্ধু হিসাবে মেনে নেয়। প্রথম দিকে সকল শিশু তাকে পাগল, বোবা, হাবা-গালা বললেও সাইফুল তার যোগ্যতা ও আচরন দিয়ে সকলের প্রিয় বন্ধুতে নিজেকে প্রতিষ্ঠিত করেছে। এক বছর প্রি-স্কুলে পড়ার পর সে প্রি-স্কুলের প্রায় সকল যোগ্যতাই অর্জন করতে সক্ষম হয়। ছড়া, গান, গল্প বা বর্ণ, সংখ্যা মুখে বলতে না পারলেও লিখে কিংবা ভঙ্গির মাধ্যমে বুঝাতে পারতো। তার হাতের লেখা খুবই চমৎকার সে নিজের নাম, মা বাবার নাম, স্কুলের নামসহ সকল বাংলা বর্ণ ও ১-২০ সংখ্যা লিখতে পারতো। সে দল নেতা হিসাবে দলকে সুন্দর নেতৃত্ব দিতে পারতো।
প্রি-স্কুল শেষে তার মা তাকে প্রাইমারী স্কুলে ভর্তি করতে নিয়ে যায়। পূর্ব নসরতপুর সরকারী প্রাথমিক বিদ্যালয়ের প্রধান শিক্ষক আবারও তাকে ভর্তি করাতে অপারগতা প্রকাশ করেন। তাদের যুক্তি হল বোবা ছেলেকে শেখানোর যোগ্যতা বা প্রশিক্ষণ আমাদের নেই। তখন প্ল্যান বাংলাদেশ ও জেএসকেএস -এর কর্মীরা গ্রাম উন্নয়ন কমিটি, ইউনিয়ন পরিষদে, স্কুলের শিক্ষক ও এস এম সি সাথে কথা বলে ও মিটিং করে তাকে ১ম শ্রেনীতে ভর্তি করানো হয়। ইতোমধ্যে জে এস কে এস এর চিলড্রেন উইথ ডিস-এ্যাবিলিটি (ঈউি) কর্মসূচীর সহযোগিতায় একজন শিক্ষককে ঢাকায় প্রতিবন্ধী শিশুর শিক্ষা বিষয়ের উপর ১৫ দিনের প্রশিক্ষণ দেয়া হয়। উক্ত স্কুলে সে বিভিন্ন শ্রেনীতে কৃতিত্বের সাথে পাশ করে বর্তমানে ৫ম শ্রেনীর সমাপনি পরীক্ষার জন্য প্রস্ততি নিচ্ছে।
লেখাপড়ার পাশাপাশি সে খুব ভাল ফুটবল ও ক্রিকেট খেলে। ক্রিকেট খেলায় ব্যাটিং ও বলিং উভয় দিকেই সে পারদর্শী। খেলার সময় তার বন্ধুরা তাকে দলে পেতে খুব বেশি আগ্রহ প্রকাশ করে কারণ সে ভাল খেলোয়ার। শিক্ষকরা তাকে সাধ্যমত সহযোগিতা করেন। সাইফুল শিক্ষকের মুখের উচ্চারন, ঠোটের ভঙ্গিমা / নাড়াচারা দেখে সে কথা বুঝতে পারে।
ইশারা ভাষায় কোন প্রশিক্ষণ না থাকলেও বাড়িতে তার ছোট ভাই-বোন, মা-বাবা সকলে মুখের কথা ও ইশারা ইঙ্গিতে তাকে সব কথা বুঝতে পারে এবং তার কথা বুঝতে পারে। বাড়ির সদস্যরা অন্য ব্যাক্তির কথা তাকে এবং তার কথা অন্যকে বুঝাতে দো-ভাষীর ন্যায় কাজ করেন।
পূর্ব নসরতপুর সরকারী প্রাথমিক বিদ্যালয়ের শিক্ষকরা জানান যে, আগামী সমাপনি পরীক্ষায় সে ভাল ফল করবে, সে অত্যন্ত মেধাবী এবং তাকে সার্বিক সহযোগিতা দিলে সে জীবনে অনেক উন্নতি করবে। সাইফুল অন্যান্য শ্রেনীতে ভাল ফল করছে যা এলাকার মানুষের মধ্যে ইতিবাচক সাড়া পড়ে। ফলে এলাকার আরও ৪/৫জন প্রতিবন্ধী শিশুকে অভিভাবকরা স্কুলে ভর্তি করিয়ে দেয়। এই স্কুলে এখন সকল প্রতিবন্ধী শিশুকে ভর্তি করানো হয়। বর্তমানে এই স্কুলে বিভিন্ন শ্রেনীতে বিভিন্ন ধরণের ৫ জন প্রতিবন্ধী শিশু আছে। শিক্ষক ও এস এম সি-র মধ্যে ইতিবাচক মনোভাব পরিলক্ষিত হচ্ছে যা প্রাথমিক শিক্ষার ক্ষেত্রে একটি উজ্জল দৃষ্টান্ত।
