TWo main events out of many decisively prove the effectiveness of the non-formal schools now being run by one of the biggest NGOs of the country. One. at many places these one-room schools( catering the 3Rs are being subjected to arson and other criminal acts of vandalism. Two. these schools have earned a nationally wide fame as BRAC schools and for thetr distinctive approach to as well as practice of disseminating education in areas of utter poverty and deprivation — the fame seems to have spilled abroad as the BRAC school model.

These schools at present number 22,000. A report published in Wednesday's Daily Star-said BRAC plans to raise the number by 13,000 to 35,000 during the current fiscal year. Judging by past performances, we have no doubt that the target will be reached. And we very much feel this that here is a very good eye-opener for the government.

The BRAC schools are designed to be socially sustainable — that Is appropriately small. One room, one teacher and not more than perhaps 30 pupils. This tends to compare with formal and standard primaries in the ratio 5:1. Has our gov ernment ever built 2.600 primaries, ever in a year, which Is the equivalent of the BRAC aug-mentation plan for the year? The BRAC schools • cost Inconceivably less and their rate of drop-out is incredibly low. How do we compare the formal primaries with the non-formal BRAC ones? The most important of the possible comparisons lies in the assessment of the products — the children that is — after an equal span of exposure to whatever their classes offer. And an intelligent guess is the BRAC children would score over the others.

Why is the government enterprise on the literacy front so very weak and unfruitful? Of the many factors involved, two can be mentioned. The formal and government primaries do not involve the social milieu. Two. monitoring and supervision are next to nil there. Why is that so?

The resistance to BRAC schools by a section of anti-social elements posing as religious zealots is positive proof of not only thetr effectiveness but also that they are growing in popular appeal and esteem. Keep it up BRAC. Keep it tip all who are similarly sculpting a literate society out of this present illiterate and almost wayward one.