The present way of running the non-government schools and colleges is based on private and government partnership which experiences fragile administrative structure and poor performance. Frankly speaking, this system of running the institutions has proven almost dysfunctional. There does not lie any reason or rationality in respect of student teacher ratio, the method of teaching, and the assessment and recruitment system of teachers and other staff.

These institutions are virtually run by managing committees which are hardly answerable to anyone. No transparent accountability has so far been established though it has been in vogue for years. The main function of the committee is to employ teachers. Recruitment of teachers sees non-transparency because of the direct and indirect pressure of the members of the managing committee. To speak the truth, no standard system of recruiting teachers has yet been established. Political pressure and colour also get involved in the recruitment process, hindering the smooth running of the institutions.

A reasonable recruitment system based on a standard test, academic performance of the candidates, attachment to teaching, honesty, teaching experience, etc. may be the criteria for recruiting teachers. Everything should be impersonal so that no member of the committee can exercise any influence to recruit less qualified candidates, which is a common practice now plaguing the education system. The Ministry of Education must take this initiative which will not claim much extra money from the government funds, but will improve the transparency of the system.

Again, with some possible exceptions, it happens in most of the cases that the members of the committee are not educated, or not real social workers, or do not take interest in education. Even some of them are local touts. The teachers, headmasters, and principals don't have any say or power to undo this. So, in the greater interest of the nation education ministry must make a law so that nobody without having good qualifications or social acceptability can be selected as the member of the committee.

Most of the evils in the educational institutions happen mostly because of financial crisis. It is a big shortcoming on the part of non-government schools and colleges. It is also the democratic right of the citizens of the country to have educational facilities from the government. It is again true that the government of any poor country cannot afford to do it despite it being a well known fact. Government money is being misused in various ways which government cannot afford to stop due to heterogeneous causes. In the midst of these causes, education in the country will continue. Teachers will teach. Children must receive education from the society. Educated people must provide these needs of the society.

To meet the financial needs of non-governmental educational institutions the administration and the government can takethe following steps:

i. Every school and every college must have a cooperative society where every teacher will contribute from the first month he or she gets his or her salary. This money could be used in various income generating activities. The fund can be raised further taking a negligible amount of money from the students, local people, and available government sources.

ii. In most of the non-governmental educational institutions, there is no arrangement for tiffin for the students. But students take tiffin during their leisure period in unhygienic shops. Every school and college can arrange tiffin for the students and teachers through the cooperative society. The institution will be financially benefited and students will be able to give their concentration to their studies after the leisure period. They cannot concentrate their attention on studies on an empty stomach, and this common practice has been going on for ages.

iii. Every school or college can raise a poultry farm starting from small scale. Raising poultry farm will not only increase the institutional income but also it will be a source of protein to the surrounding areas of the institution including the institutional staff.

iv. It is a common scene that almost every school or college possesses a pond. This pond can be used for fish cultivation in the most modern way.

v. In possible cases every school and college can set up a shop to sell books, pencils, scripts, and others teaching aids which is absolutely necessary for the students and they must buy these items from nearby shops. Schools and colleges can set up other kind of shops to earn some extra money for the improvement of the institution.

vi. In case of availability of space, institutions can cultivate vegetables and fruits. Tree plantation can also be done in a planned way. Still there are schools and colleges where there is space, but it is not used for any productive purposes.

Poor students can be engaged in these income generating activities which will help to ensure the continuation of their education. It will also give poor students opportunity to learn practical life based education. To run the affairs in the practical field of the world, this kind of learning will definitely help them.

Only dependence on government money to meet all kinds of expenditure of the institution does not bring positive results. Government is to run and manage a lot of state affairs with its very limited resources. When educated people and social workers will learn to mobilise local and possible hidden resource, it will definitely exert a sound effect on our national economy. It is a kind of effort to help the government.

Another important point must be given consideration. Better and attractive performance of the school and college will invite attention of the guardians as well as the people of the society. In order to better perform there is no alternative to the sincerity of the teachers and institutional management. The better performing institutions will invite more students to come there which is another means to boost the financial condition of the institution.

All kinds of guardians will appreciate to send their wards to those institutions and don't hesitate to spend more money for their wards. In non-reputed schools and colleges guardians don't get any interest or impetus to spend money for their words.

As a part of my professional duties I get to meet with various sorts of teachers both at urban and rural, famous and unknown institutions, government and non-government level, and everywhere teachers show a deep frustration with some possible exceptions.

I think a school or a college can run without any government money if the teachers and the committee are active and really sincere enough to do something for the cause of education. I have the opportunity to meet this kind of institutional head also.

I must cite the example of Mukul Niketan high school of Mymensing town. The headmaster of this school posseses tremendous energy to dedicate all of his time for the betterment of the school. He has created a unique example by visiting the houses of his students at night accompanied by his teachers who help the students in their houses. It has become a routine affair of the headmaster which has made his institution renowned not only at Mymensingh but also all over the country.

Undoubtedly it is a rare example at present in our country. This school possesses a huge amount of wealth. Financial problems do not stand in the way of the progress of the school. Many students and guardians crowd here to get admission . Many students sit for the SSC examination from these schools without paying any fee. The school meets the expenditure of those poor boys and girls. Doesn't it prove a rare example in our educational arena?

Every school can be a real learning centre and resource centre. Every school can be run like a university. Every school can be a real house to solve the personal, national, and international problems.

Md. Masum Billah is a Material Development Specialist, Post Primary Basic and Continuing Education (PACE) Programme, Brac.