Enrollment of science education is decreasing in the country. According to the Ministry of Education and BANBAISE, 33% students has been decreased in 2001-2008 in Bangladesh due to increasing poverty, science fear, less interest of guardian, lack of laboratory, etc. The science enrollment scenario in coastal area is more crucial. After cyclone AILA the situation went worst condition because of increasing poverty, damage of school laboratory, ignorance of students and guardians, etc. LEDARS has been implementing a project named “Promoting Science Education in Secondary School” with the support of Bangladesh Freedom Foundation (BFF).
The main objective of this project is to promote science education by increasing enrollment of science students through the science club formation, leadership development training, awareness raising of students and guardian, organize workshop and distribution of various science instruments in secondary school. Kashimari Ideal School and College, which is situated at Kashimari union under Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district; was selected for the project. As part of this program, LEDARS and Kashimari Ideal School and College organize series of event, like school based science fair, Inter school science fair, Seminar, science related quiz and debate competition, Science wall magazine publication, inter-school science fair, training on leadership and science kit utilize, etc.
When LEDARS started this program, only 6 students were studying that time. But after LEDARS intervention, the scenario of science menthol started to change. Student has been increasing in science group year by rear. In 2012 were 13, in 2013 were 14, in 2014 were 22, in 2015 were 38 and this year 2016 is 50 students are studying science education in this school. The enrollment of science education has been increased by 833% as compared the student in 2011. The SMC and head teacher is very much happy to LEDARS because of the achievement. Principal S.M Abdul Hai said: I can’t imagine that, currently 50 science students studying in our school that was only 6 in 2011. It’s happened because of LEDARS intervention. He thanks to LEDARS and BFF to working with them.
