Shutdown couldn’t stop Shahajpath High School

Shahajpath High School, an unconventional school in Dhaka, has set up an example of keeping things smooth amid a crisis by continuing academic activities using modern technology.

The school was closed following the government directive, but it still maintains regular communication with  students and parents.

The trustees and the teachers of the school said they took the initiative to keep up the students' morale and to relieve them from boredom during the coronavirus lockdown.

The school is continuing classes, tests and evaluations online, which has made the students and their guardians happy.

Rameesa Rashid Megh, a fifth grader at the school, told The Business Standard that she is passing her time in a joyful mood as she can talk with her teachers and can ask them any questions over Skype.

"I don't feel bored as I can communicate with my teachers whenever I want to. They love us so much," she said.

"I sat for the Bangla examination at home on Wednesday. I enjoyed doing it so much because there was no pressure on me. We can sit for the examination without any fear," Megh added.

Megh's father, Harun-ur-Rashid, told this correspondent, "The school sent us the question paper and asked us to act as invigilators. I along with my wife did it perfectly."

"They also gave us some guidelines including providing help to understand the questions and not let the child be afraid of anything," he said.

"I was in worried for my daughter. But now I see that the school teachers are very cordial and communicative. My daughter can converse with them if she feels bored."

"The teachers are doing a great job during the global crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic," he added.

There are 400 students and 25 teachers at the school. It is the only school that is connected to its students all the time during the shutdown.

The government and non-government schools also give lessons to students through recorded lessons or classes. The students can watch the lectures but they do not have any chance of asking questions or knowing the teacher.

As a result, most of the students do not enjoy these classes. Besides, a good number of students have no television at home.

Siddique Belal, a trustee of Shahajpath High School, told The Business Standard that they  maintain communication with the students so that they do not feel lonely.

"Our students are like our sons and daughters. We are used to taking care of them at every stage. That is why we closed the physical campus and opened a virtual one for them," he said. 

Poulomi Das Gupta, a teacher of the school, said they are running the school's activity virtually, because they want to see smiles on their students' faces even during the coronavirus crisis.

"We have no traditional examination up to the fourth grade. We put emphasis on teaching and learning methods. The students complete their study in the classes. By arranging examinations we just evaluate how quickly they can learn," she said.

"We basically want to connect the students with study and keep them mentally sound during this moment of crisis," said Poulomi.