With the publication of the SSC result in 1994 cadet colleges have been experiencing bitter criticism from different sections and so I feel it necessary to flash some facts about cadet colleges, through your esteemed daily. Cadet colleges of Bangladesh are existing with their own characteristics and peculiarities. They are different from other educational institutions in many ways.

The first Cadet College was established on 'the 28th February in 1958 at Faujdarhat in Chittagong with -a view to producing deserving candidates for the defence and civil sectors of erstwhile East Pakistan. The rather brilliant result of this college encouraged establishment of more cadet colleges. Accordingly, Jhenidah. Mlrjapur and Rajshahi cadet colleges were established In 1963. 1963 and 1964 respectively. Teaching method and the system of management of these colleges were followed after that of the British public schools. The positive contribution of these institutions was accepted gladly at the national level leading the government to convert six residential schools and colleges into cadet colleges after the liberation of the country. Now there are ten cadet colleges in Bangladesh including one girls’ cadet college at Mymensingh.

The performance of the cadets In the SSC examination of 1994 does not probe that there is no need of Cadet College in our country as many people reflected In their views and opinions published In different dailies; nor does It prove that cadets are dull students. I used to sure In a private college, now 1 am in ,a Cadet College. So 1 can perhaps easily distinguish the merit of the cadets from that of fhe outside students, (of course there are brilliant stu-

dents in the outside institutions also).

Many anomalous things assumed to have happened in the SSC result due to the introduction of computer system in compiling results. Many teachers believably could not handle the computer sheet properly, as a result computer might have given wrong reading. No only that, a teacher had to examine a lot of scripts within a very short time due to the non-government teachers strike. Necessarily there was lack of fair Judgement.

Today whenever we think of an educational institution we think of such an institution which is haunted by bizarre political chaos, fighting between the two groups of students, boycotting classes by the students for negligible causes, teachers' harassment etc. But cadet colleges are offering a different picture in the educational arena of Bangladesh. So I should urge for establishing more cadet colleges. It is our duty to pave the way for our future generation by giving them a good education. And good education can be had at an institution where discipline and congenial atmosphere prevail.

However, cadet colleges are dos not totally free from ills and absurdities. In the greater Interest of the nation, several existing rules and regulations of cadet colleges should be moderated. Often teachers are lo remain busy with many kinds of activities which do not concern study As a result, i teacher gradually loses his interest in study. Brilliant leathers are needed to teach ind make brilliant students 3ut when they find it difficult o incline themselves to study i tendency develops tn them o escape. This Is why. the ihortage of teachers especially

in some subjects has become a constant problem in cadet colleges.

Here teachers are to give 24-hour service to the college. They look after all sorts of activities of the cadets during their stay on the campus. They are not allowed to exercise any private practice'. But their dedication to the service contributes a great deal to distinguish a cadet college from other educational institutions. So. the introduction of non-practising allowance will be an incentive for the teachers.

To conduct and ensure discipline activities’of a cadet college one army officer (called Adjutant) is working here.. There is no clear indication what sort of relationship will lie between the teachers and the Adjutant. The rank of an Adjutant in either Captain or Major but he is considered senior even to an associate professor, let alone an assistant professor. This Is found to be a matter of dissatisfaction. I think there should be a mutual - relationship between the teachers and the Adjutant who are working In a cadet college. Strict administration Is responsible for prevailing peaceful and disciplined atmosphere in the cadet colleges. But dual administration is to be re-■ viewed for running the administration more smoothly

Every year cadet colleges invite only the brilliant students luid in response to this invltatfcn the bright and promising'students flock there to receive ideal education In order to cater to this demand, the teachers should be given enough opportunity to receive different sorts of trainings They will be able to develop their mental faculty and pro fesslonal efficiency through these trainings

The uTiter is Lecturer in English. Comtlla Catiet College