Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990S: an Overview

EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN BANGLADESH CADET COLLEGES SINCE 1990S: AN OVERVIEW

Brigadier General Md Habib Ullah, SPP, ndc, afwc, psc

Introduction

Background History of Bangladesh Cadet Colleges may be traced back to the public school systems of England during 19th century (Rob 1884). by the Government of Pakistan to educate and train the military students in !"#$ %& '* + ,-/ 03 "3 0 3 $335 "#6:"#;# 33!"#,+/<% $3%=>%? ,!"#/$>% ! +-,3 +3/ +P*-3Q%$ 33=>> 3 3S#3=% students of eastern part.

Cadet Colleges are specialized autonomous residential institutions that impart an all-round liberal education to the young learners of the secondary 3= > ! > 3%3%3=I%3%%J?#+ K3:3%3%?:3%3%3>,0L"MM/ 3$N'3>%3 3 3$'%>&=$N'&

72 I>=MM&3,*%M/N; O%+0$N;M3$'3$MM$ %'MM=J ;MQ 3&3%MQ 3=>%3$ $%3+>0>3,+0/>$ 3=$%33$ or public universities are disappointing. This paper emphasizes on reforms $ K 3 %3%$#>$3333> 3 ?3

Aim of Cadet Colleges

J%3=%%%$ 3>S= 3 #$ =$=

Objectives of Cadet Colleges

&3>3>==U

# J>O%=%3%3= >%:33 pursue higher studies in different disciplines. # J>== >%33L3 # J 3= #$ # 3= for the all-round development of cadets through a package of co- 3%3%?:3%3%3> # J 3= =3 $ $ 3%% program and maintain a diet program ensuring a balanced physical and mental health.

N Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

# J % =$=$=$ O%=$ 3 % >$ 3%$333> # J>$?3%3> 3%3> # , \ /$ 3 33>%= # J %3 $ O% 3 3%3 3=>3:3%% SWOT Analysis

05LJ=3?3 might affect the educational environment and overall output of the cadet 3]&3>>$05LJ =K3U

Figure 1:05LJ= Helpful Harmful

Strength Weakness # 03%3 # `3# 3S # <3K pedagogy and educational %=$3 management. activities. # Laboratory facilities-back dated. Internal # 03%> # Lack of variation in personal # 0%3 L study setting (class room/ ]%33:33 teacher/class mates). hardship. # !?3%$% # Healthy and competitive complete syllabus; learning is environment. overlooked. # Caters for all round development. # Lack of initiative of the teachers.

74 Figure 1:05LJ= Threat # Vested interest groups may Opportunity cause emotional disorder of # "S3 adolescents may affect study impression of the cadet college and grooming. #> # <3%333 # Alumni associations inspire up if he falls back in initial %%S days. 3% # $03 =>% may affect mental stability and # !?=U`3$ learning. and organizational structure # Indiscriminate use of =? $$ !? &% 3,> L marginal cost. leave) may create distraction # 033>= and affect desired grooming 33 of the cadets. # 3 # Any breach of security institutions to add value. may have far reaching consequences and affect 3$3 parents. 0%3U%

The main focus of cadet college education is achieved by a combination of 333$=3%3$3 %3<33%%S3 events are other factors that also contribute to the all-round development of the cadets. Academic Environment 33>%>>3:%$ $?$?33J3 %$$>% 3 3S?3J% 3>=NM:N# >0%:J3MU

75 Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

Class Room J333#3R03S RS %J3,Q/3,Q/ scope and need for improvements of educational environment of cadet colleges.

Books %#3=I%3J? +#,IJ+/!>3MMN">%=$+> #%-=$%&3>=?# ,=$ ?/ % = %= $ %$%#,+>/

Assessment (GPA Systems) 6 % J = %333 3%=&=% the Grade Point Average (GPA) system of assessing in different public ?J> %$3= 33>3>%%&3

Analysis L>>33%"= U

Poor Outcome: Poor performance in admission tests for higher % ,*3S!S>/ -=$ 3 =+*=3= 3%"0M to be terminated. A number of cadets cannot sit for the admission test +!J%%>

Reluctance:>3= =>>>3#M,3% positions in the combined merit list in the Board).

; 6M;=M% ;3#% # +!J6>3600+>$ M;$'?3,/600+ %3%>%=,]$M/

Voluntary Withdrawal: L % 3%$3 >%= 3 3 6 3 = *3 033 %&3 %%= > 033 % % > %= %$ 366MM;$ 3 366366

Quality of the Student

L = % # 3 5 > 3:33 3 $ = % ]%3= %33L$= ::%=%33= on the coaching centres. Coaching centres train the students on certain #=333?J%3 3RS%RS%,+#$ M/

Games and Sports

Recent re-introduction of various sporting competitions on inter cadet 3 >=S =$ 3% % =$ 3 ?% 3S 3 % %#= J%U

# There are hardly any play grounds in the urban or even rural areas these days.

77 Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

# *= 33 = scope to play outdoors. # 'MQ =R333S = # *= % 3%S> 3%%" risky and better to avoid. Swimming as a Life Skill <%M$?=M:'MQ 3# "=$>;Q#0 3O%=$I>=* 3=$=?3$ 33 >3

Psychological and Moral Training * 3 3 3 3O%##3=% $ 3 %3$ %?-3=$P!%Q %3=$>U

Table 1: Ethos and Values in Cadet Colleges Ethos Values I am proud to be a Cadet Honour and Pride I abide by rules and regulation of the College Honesty and Integrity 6$3 Trust and Faith I shall be the best and brightest professional ] leader Communication 6%% =* 3!?33 Endeavour and Perseverance "0] Comradeship 0%3U%

78 %=P%Q=3 3 %=$3 J3> %=$ 3$ $ >3 333 strength to stand for the right.

Leadership Training 6 3 3$ 3 > %= 3 O% J 3 "3$ S O% # 3$=$333$3O%=$3% 3 ,0L" MM/ 3,366/% M=

Discipline 3 3 % 3 0L"<3 =3%3 ?33 behavior in public. The standing orders of the Cadet Colleges cover a %3:>3%=33K= 3$ %: 3 % character building.

Cultural and Stage Competitions (CSC) 03S=?J ?3%3%3>>>:3 O%3J3> ?3#3= ?:=

Present Challenges and Gray Areas

Overview

6=3>%$ plug in the gaps and lacunae and focus on the gray zones.

79 Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

Absence of Research and Development <3%33>3%3S3S &%SJ3S"%= =>%033 %==3%3%,0 %/3%%> 33 5%333 33>3,]M/

Teachers Teachers are the greatest assets of the cadet college systems. The relevance and importance of teachers in a boarding school environment has but 3% =3U

Selection # 33O%36 3%?NM;$;% =;3#= %3##$? Government teachers held on the same day. # *=3+0S"0#3 > colleges. # *=$%=%600+%3> best of the lot. Training and Capacity Building # Training on teenage/child psychology may be arranged regularly. # Pedagogy and class room management is rarely emphasized. # +!$*!$"<O%3=33>3 Job Satisfaction # +=S3U 3= 33#=

'M # J33%3333 and respect of the cadets. # Teacher-student relationship remains a topic of concern inter-personal skill of the teachers need improvement. # Reduction of non-academic engagement. Career Building Opportunity # O%3>33 ,+0&>3S3/ # J3 :>$3#3 motivation. Language of Imparting Lesson 6>3%3%3 3%= 33#3!J 3 3 ? ! J %>= ;Q 3 Q Cadets agreed/ strongly agreed to this.

Discipline and Implementation

633=3 %J%%%3 %3 and force. Too much of strictness might become counterproductive. For ?$>333$% very casually. This is perhaps due to harsh military discipline enforced on %3%,]M/

Budgetary Issues

J#$3%$33$== and other components of educational environment have not seen changes mostly for budgetary constraints. The budget comes from the Grant in ,M/*= 3%

81 Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

S+3* %3%>=% M>33#3

Principal and College Administration

0=P03$Q*%K,*%K M/%%3%%= of professionalism and not on humanitarian ground. Frequent change of the principal affects the continuity and impetus of college activities and > 3 3 M >:333 colleges.

Vice Principals and Their Concerns

633"3,"/3>== J=&%O% J>% "3 3M=U

Table 2: Number and Frequency of Change of Vice Principals 0 Cadet 1985-1995 :M M;:M; Average College Number of Number of Number <% VP VP & Average of VP of VP in & Average <%,=/ M <%,=/ years 1 FCC 4 2.5 4 2.5 8 1.25 2 RCC 5 2 4 2.25 ; ;; N CCR N NN 5 2 8 1.25 4 BCC 5 2 4 2.25 8 1.25 5 * N N 5 N 7 1.42 ; FGCC - - 9 1.1 7 JGCC - - 9 1.1 0%3U%

82 Governing Body and Adjutant General’s Branch

> >= #>#L%=3% > Body can hardly give the cadet colleges needed focus and time. A number of %3%3% 0 303> <3 3,+/ 6%3%$ raising the capacity and number of cadet colleges also came in discussion. < 3=0>3&%3> 03 33% >O%%3$3% Malpractices and Under Currents

J=3 = 3 >$ 3 33 > 3 3 3 3 3$ 3=%$3# addressed. In most of the cases parents and the teachers fail to unearth 0333U

# 03&% # 0#&%$3 # Bringing food from the canteens. # Physically abusing. # ##%S3% the sleep and rest. # #3%&%%=>% # Requesting for household items on loan and never returning. # Clothing items/ shoes/ personal effects getting missed. # `=3>%S>S3 : doing.

'N Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

Analysis, Findings and Way Forward

Cadets’ Findings

A recent seminar on the academic performances of the cadets in a college 3 % 3 #= % U

Table 3: Cadets’ Finding 0 Problems 0% Remarks M Practical classes 0=3K = J3S33= are conducted practical classes must be ensured. in sequencing hurriedly before lessons questioned completing theoretical classes M %S Abridged hand notes on particular Teachers should do books for senior topic can be supplied. ?# classes MN J Teaching more lessons in class XI Planning of time class XI %>366 and study load need classroom. to be better M Lack of A team consisting recently passed Teachers and motivation and %?:33> ?:3S #% >333$ associations should career +!J$3 be doing this on a universities home and abroad. regular basis. M Cadets are "3%% separated #%3 may be blocked. from rapidly can be arranged developing IT M; Academic failure *>% %* &%3 from any corner should be ensured. to be more effective M Less time of "J=?3% *=3 preparation before ? M' Pressure of 0%%3? *=3 over schedule ,?3>3>=/

84 Table 3: Cadets’ Finding M Providing A photocopy machine is highly Library should have 3S O%333 such reproduction/ notes on any documents on payment. printing facilities important topic/ chapter M Library facility Library should be open for all the *=3 cadets in different schedule 11 Constant Teacher J3%? J3S33= (for a particular particular topics/chapter for in class/content topics) particular classes. management 12 Frequent Requesting for the strategy of J3S Resignation of authority motivation teachers 0%3U%

Educational Research and Curriculum Review

L> = = %3 J >% 3>%$3%3 academic research by competent professionals.

Issues # 0==#3S333 # 33$%3> # " 333=$ 3% standard. # Cadet Colleges losing privacy and relevance. Way Forward # *== 3=33% 33$ $3 # Academic researchers or Alumni associations may be called in for necessary support and consultancy.

85 Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

Cadet Intake System

Issues # 333#% ?3 # Attracting better materials becomes challenging. Way Forward # L%3=3%3= 3% >%#3? # *?%33%%<L3$J!%3L3 relevant schools may prove useful. # *K ? = %= % students get selected.

Issues # Q 3MQ 3%3 related to cadets. # ;Q 3Q 3%3 333%3 ,K$ $ 33%K$ = 3> thinking). # !?#33%%#, =33%&3?/ # J3=3 %33=::=3%3 of the teachers. Way Forward # There is hardly any alternative to raising the standard of the teachers and the teaching method. A separate Research may be carried out to %=#3% &%3=>33>3 '; # 03=3%%= undertaken to improve the methods of instruction # `3>%6 $>% = +%=3%0> 3%3 % = Academic loads may be increased gradually. # *3>3= 3K compared to lectures. Less Time for the Cadets to Study

%>= ;Q 3== have less time to study.

Issues # Cadets need to participate in numerous non-academic activities like $0$3 # 033% # "J < = %&3 3S = = eased up. # 5 RS%%3

Way forward # -%360*$6`**3 # -%3"J$=#? # Introduction of morning preparation time. Fazar prayers may be made =% # Increase timing of after-dinner study for senior classes (XI and XII) =NM:% # <=%6$66=%,NNM%/ # K33%%=%3= sometimes arranged at in the afternoon or evening.

87 Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

Quality and Motivation of the Teachers

Issues # %'Q 3> %3>,Q3S/ # MQ%3%=3! # J3S:33>3> # %;Q 3%3> 3 3>=?=,Q3/ # 6 = 333=, % >% =/ ? 3 standard of college # A non-committal and stay safe syndrome is observed among the faculties. # *> ,$ 3# / 3 3 & $ passion. Way Forward

Selection # *=%+0$"0600+ # <3=O%3S?3=3 ,#+"/ # Performance based/ meritocracy should be the criteria for promotion. # *=3=333#% %*JJ3%>3S S 3> O% $ =$ 3 psychology etc. # I!*%=3#3% %3$3+!*!

88 Job Satisfaction

# +3%$#+0"033% ensure social security and career development needs. # +=3 # -3 ? %3 % : academic engagements. # L%3>3R3%=S3 =%%>

Malpractices and Cadet Bullying

In cadet college environment bullying and teasing have almost become a 333% %=$ of course the teachers. Cadets usually indulge in these malpractices out of %$%$>$=%% >#3> %&%$> =>33% $ $ 33 % = 3% % %%3>J= 33 3L>==3 % &%3$3= development of the cadets.

Budget and Financial Management

Issues # N'Q 3 Q 3 R0= S % %3 # Bureaucracy delays allocation and release of budget causing problems == # 3# # 3 procedures.

89 Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

Way Forward

# 0%3 %%RS%= 3%*L!*L< # 0%3 %%3> # 3=$O%3#3 Moving Forward in Quality and Numbers

Issues # -?33333%= for creating global citizens. # >$$3$?% # ]3333> Way Forward # 3 % # 6 +33%LK,6+L/ # 6>%3%>%$% # *=J3`*3%6% J3=,*6J/?% 3 # <%# # 3 = ? 3 teachers. # 63% 3>=3=%$ &%==3%% Cadet College. # I%!%#L >=%J=3 &3 Development of an Evaluation System

J% >%=%3%# >3>%

M >%J%3%>$3> 3&3>=%%U

# R0%0?S33 :3K?% cadet in a year from a class. # I %= = :=$ 33%% chapters. # *# 3 O% ,%3 $ = ?/ Internal Administration and Management

Frequent change of the principal and vice principal affect the total 3 3J%?= 33%= 3%#3>$> 63%$=%#=6= 3 3 # *$ > > =33%3$3 $ > S 3 3 = 3>$ 33

# %>U%*=3 # 0:&% ,%3 33/ % # "S>>3 # J3S>%3%%% # Computer aided database cadets and need for research and development. # Posting or a periodic visit of a clinical psychologist may be considered. Recommendations

Immediate Action Plan # Improvement of infrastructure and the physical condition of the 3$3

91 Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

# 63 %=$3=3,6 66/J===%$%3 morning prep saving three days from morning PT and drill. # 0%=%3%3>%3 3$ 33 Mid-Term Targets # Invest on teachers. The standard of the teachers especially their role $ %3$ % 3? > 3 S >03 3= %+0"0I3=%%$ recognition and pay rise should be undertaken to make them feel good and do more. # O% % % 3 ] *= !%3 *L< % > mechanism to run by some dedicated budget other than the ‘Grant ::S # + 3 6# ? 3%3 ?3%3>= Long Term # 3 3 # # % > 0L"J 33 %33##3 goals. # 6> > O%= 3 * 3 % : 6+33%$*6J03 #<%# #=%%>33 # 5 # > += % ?3 more authority to delegate responsibility and freedom of action to the "3$%%% successful fraternity adequately equipped and motivated to pay back to the nation.

92 Conclusion

03 3$ 3 3 > ? = >%%3 O%= 33$% % bureaucracy. The main purpose of the cadet colleges are to provide liberal O%=%3%3=>+%;M= 33%3=33 5 33 3= >%$?33=%3 environment of the cadet colleges.

Cadet colleges are the specialized institutions managed by the military to provide an all-round education to young learners of class VII to XII. 33 3% > 3 >$ =3$3> are also emphasized. A thorough analysis of the educational environment 3 3= 3]3 % 3: learning process by educational researchers is essential for modernization of the cadet colleges.

3 % 3 + 3%3S3 3+= +3$ =33I== 33 3S 3 += = 'M$ ? 33>%= %>$ 33 $ 3$ 3=$ % 3<>%#+ "%303$ % 3%=3O%=%30%33 %33=%#$%# >3$

N Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

3 3%=$%== <3=$33$3333>$ socio-politico dynamics and particularly information and communication technology are certain other issues that dominate professional discourse at present. All these call for modernization of the educational environment of the quality education institutes like cadet colleges.

L>=%3>#3$=O%= %$3 3>3 O%3%= M&3%:3 %>3?% 3 college educational environment. Efforts have also been made to spot 3=6%3%#== &##3%=$!?:"3!?$ academicians and other professionals. The response mechanism is the %3 % =>% for consideration for implementation in due course of time. Based on the %3= 33>$ mid-term and long term action plans.

References Books 1. K$0O%$,M/$0#U0%0=$ <#$I>&"#

2. -$ * %$ ,MMM/$ "%3 03 0## L 3 $ <#$"%%

N 0L",MM/$0L"3%MM$ &%S+3$=O%""$<#

94 Articles/Seminar Papers/ Newspaper 4. O%$ O%$ *&$ % S <> " ` + =$ 6>% -3 "$ <3 0>3 0 $ <3M

5. *K$ ]$ *&$ !>% LK + =$ 6>% -3 "$ <30>30 $<3M

Interviews and Interactions/Discussions ; $ ]$ !? "3$ -& "3 033$<#$%=M

7. O%$%$*&$+*=3=$ M'L3M

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95 Educational Environment in Bangladesh Cadet Colleges Since 1990s: An Overview

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Author

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