Run by the Bangladesh Baptist Church Union, Carey Memorial School in Dinajpur has a Christian ethos and aims to provide a quality education to children of all backgrounds.
Half of the 300 students are Christian and many live in the boys' and girls' hostels on the compound. They come from the surrounding rural area where school provision is patchy.
Many have disadvantaged backgrounds with a number coming from either the Urao or Santal indigenous communities. The other students are mostly from Muslim families who live nearby.
Enthusiastic
As education advisor, the person I work closest with is Anthony Topno, the consulting headteacher, who is an experienced English teacher from the nearby Catholic school.
There are ten classroom teachers and my main role is to work alongside them to develop their teaching skills. I have spent the last few months getting to know the teachers, observing classes and trying to understand the curriculum.
At the beginning of January I gave my first staff training session. The day was divided into three sessions. During the first, I asked the staff what they thought the strengths and weaknesses of the school were and how these could be addressed.
This was probably the first time that the staff had been asked to provide their ideas in this way and they participated enthusiastically. I am hoping that their feedback will be used in the future planning of the school.
Limitations
The second session was aimed at improving the planning and delivery of lessons. Although this was well-received, I found the session extremely frustrating as I couldn't fully express my ideas in Bangla.
I will have to improve my language skills if I am to deliver effective support and training to the staff of the school.
The final session was aimed at improving the staff’s ability to teach English, as this was identified by the head as an area of need.
We looked at how language skills develop and what activities can be used to foster these skills. At the teachers’ request, I delivered this in English.
However, whilst they enjoyed the session, it highlighted the limitations in their English ability. As a result, I hope to do further training with the teachers to improve their own language skills so that they can teach English more effectively.
Crucial
Bangladesh is facing many challenges but has much potential. Education is crucial to the country's development.
Through Carey Memorial School, BMS and its partners are meeting this need and producing educated young people with spiritual and moral values.