Let us stand by Shirin's informal school for the dropouts

About a hundred years back, Begum Rokeya set up Sakhawat Memorial School in Kolkata with a view to giving Bangalee Muslim girls an opportunity for schooling. A century later, girls outnumber boys in Bangladesh's primary and secondary schools. And it won't be wrong to say that her dream has become a reality.

Shirin Akhter, a resident of Habiganj district, has taken a commendable initiative. She has set up Mayer Momota Oboitonik Biddalaya, a school for students who had dropped out of the school. And she does not take any money from the students. Instead, she spends the money she makes by offering tuition for the students of her school.

In a country where teachers are too eager to make money offering tuitions privately, Shirin's gesture is certainly a noble one. She says on her return to the village after her post graduation, she found that there were many dropouts in her area. They could not cope up with the school system for various reasons. She then set up this school in her own house, which now has a total of 120 students, including 40 in play and nursery classes. Three of her friends are also helping Shirin in taking the classes, but they too do not take any honorarium.

Upazila primary education officer Sarkar Abul Kalam Azad has lauded Shirin's initiative and has pledged to write to the higher authorities to help her. He is hopeful the education ministry would come forward, as this is benefitting the kids.

Such an initiative deserves our help. The affluent should come forward to help her keep up the good work.