EFFECTIVE FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHOOL DECISION MAKING BODY: POSITIVE IMPACT ON GIRLS IN SECONDARY EDUCATION OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

In Bangladesh, gender bias in the teaching profession is a highly variable factor influencing girls’ schooling and their retention in school. It is one of the vital factors for the girl students in secondary education, because the adolescent period is vulnerable and needs assistance from the liberal perception. The goal of the study was to assess the impact of increased number of female members in the school management committee (SMC) and the assessment on the recruitment rule of female teacher to increase the enrolment and retention of girl students in secondary schools of Bangladesh. The study used a questionnaire to gather the information and opinion for further development. Six Upazila (SubDivision) have been selected from three divisions, and 18 schools were randomly selected to conduct the study. A finding of the study was that female participation in the secondary school management and decision making level is very negligible. In the secondary school, there is a government policy to recruit 30% female teachers, but practically in the rural areas female teachers account for about 19% only. While in the SMC, female participation is also negligible. Only the head teacher (if female) by dint of her chair holds the post of the member secretary in the school management committee. In a very few schools, maximum one teacher is participating as a member from the teacher’s quota. So, it is recommended to increase the number of trained female teachers in rural schools by giving them the assurance of social safety. Once women can develop their self-esteem, no doubt government, non-government agencies and the donor agencies will come forward to help them. So, it is very important for the women to break the cage and to expose them in the decision making body.