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To the Editor

Letters will only be considered If they carry the writer's full name, address and telephone number (If any). The Identity of the writers will be protected. Letters must be limited to 300 words. All letters will be subject to editing.
Location of schools
The mushroom growth of English medium schools has reached menacing levels. The residents of Dhanmondi and Gulshan are the worst hit people. The government -- particularly the education ministry-- must come up with short term and long-term plans to cope with the situation. The recent government circular to start the morning shift at 7.30am is a positive move forward and is only a short term arrangement.
A long term arrangement may include shifting the schools from residential areas, picking up the abandoned houses and multi-storied buildings for leasing them to different schools on profit sharing basis, may be 25% for the govt and 75% for the owners of the schools and so on. As there is serious shortage of big plots of at least 3 bighas within the city, the govt should take up projects for residential schools of international standard outside the city areas like in India and Pakistan. Besides plans should also be made to accommodate schools for medium and lower income groups in each community area to stop people from moving into other areas for their children’s schooling.
The ministry may engage strategic planners and may also arrange brain-storming sessions on the issue.
Nuruzzaman Khan Dhanmondi. Dhaka
Bus service
Every day people waste their valuable time remaining stuck in the vehicles. As small vehicles occupy more space compared to the number of passengers, we should impose restrictions on private cars, rickshaws, baby taxies etc. And therefore we are in favour of more bus services in this capital city. But our buses are very old and most of them are not big enough. Side by side, there are spacious and more comfortable buses. The government should inspire people to invest in this type of buses which will certainly mitigate the sufferings of the commuters.
Harun-or-Rashid Sobhanbag, Dhaka
Rationalise "quota system"
Bangladesh, a poor country plagued by myriad problems and numerous constraints, apparently
and indispensably requires an effective, pragmatic and efficient leadership provided by the Bangladesh Civil Service that should have the most brilliant, prudent and talented persons competent enough to address the public affairs, national issues and problems Hence, the recruitment, selection and appointment of the people to the civil service should unconditionally be on the basis of merit to uphold the national interests. Regrettably, merely 45 percent candidates are recruited on merit and the rest 55 percent on quotas: 30 percent from freedom fighters' children, 10 percent from women, 10 percent from district quotas and 5 percent from tribal people. The quota system was introduced in Bangladesh by an executive order on 5 September. 1972 during a constitutional interregnum in the wake of a destructive war of independence. The constitution that came into effect on 16 December 1972 enshrined the principles of non-discrimination in the Public Service. The Articles 27 and 28 of the constitution stipulate that there shall be no discrimination in the recruitment of the people to the public service irrespective of caste, religion and sex. Though, later, the quota system was constitutionally validated showing the reason of advancement of the backward sections of society. But the provisional measures for proportional representation can not continue for an indefinite period. The long term bad impact of the quota system is being felt now. The quota system has paved the way for rampant corruption. Through the quota system, a large group of relatively poor calibre officials get entry into the civil service and ultimately weaken the entire service.
So, the meritocracy should be the basis of recruitment to the government services to prevent brain-drain and to ensure eligible and competent persons in the administration for effectual and efficient leadership. The quota system should be gradually phased out. A widespread demand from every section of society for rationalisation of the quota system is being repeatedly voiced. The experts, intellectuals and officials believe it is high time to rationalise the existing quota system.
The Public Service Commission, the highest authority for recruitment, selection and appointment of the class-1 gov-
ernment officials to the Bangladesh Civil Service, has also recommended to the Ministry of Establishment to rearrange the prevailing quota system. We are optimistic that the government will address the issue in the greater interest of the country.
Alamin Al Azad
Public Adm in istra tion Zahurul Haque Hall University of Dhaka
Same story?
The way things are now going on and the way the things we really want to be are opposed to each other. With the release of most of the accused of graft/corruption cases now under trial and/or punishment, the people are confused. So far so good was our instant reaction to the 1/11 initiations. We then heaved a sigh of a great relief. But looking into what is going on now, we arc really afraid to see that we are about to meet the same old fate as we had experienced with our past political governments.
Engr.Shaheedul Islam
Gulshan-1, Dhaka
Set up more universities
This refers to Dr. Sakina Khanam's letter. I support her view of turning Eden College into a university for women, and establishing an Agricultural University by using the facilities of Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and Veterinary Training Institute (VT1) in Gaibandah. 1 think it is a very good proposal in the country's context.
So, considering the future of our generation, can we think about it seriously?
Lutfor Rahman
Seoul National University
Korea
Exporting brain!
Every year, thousands of students get admitted into public and private universities for higher education.They have a dreamafter finishing their studies they will get a good job. Like them, I had also a dream as a student of Chittagong University. We felt proud when we got a good subject. But now we feel that the reality is different. Getting a good job is not easy!
So, most of the talented students are going abroad. This is a serious problem which has to be addressed in right earnest. RejaulHaq One-mail
Bangladeshis in LosAngeles
The Bangladesh Association of Los Angeles (BALA) is undergoing a major awakening following a decade-long stalemate in its activities. Thanks to the valiant efforts of Mohammed B. D. Khan, the Chief Election Commissioner and his team of Commissioners, BALA will hold its next election on October 26,2008.
The Bangladeshis' participation in one of the oldest Bangladeshi organisations in North America is essential for reviving the collective power of our community to solve its problems and reach out to the larger American community that we all live in.
The economic and cultural vitality of Bangladeshis can only be harnessed when we are united in all our diversity.
IshtiaqAChistl LongBeach.US
National Haor
Festival
The haors, baors, beds or the wetlands in general, occupy a significant place in the culture, tradition, lifestyle, livelihood and economy of our people and the country.
The initiative by 'Paribesh Bachao Andolon' undoubtedly carries an important message for all of us to revisit our traditional and cultural practices, which we tend to forget amidst the hustle and bustle ofthe city life.
Wetlands provide many important services to human society, but are at the same time ecologically sensitive systems. This explains why in recent years much attention has been directed towards the formulation and operation of sustainable management strategies for wetlands.
Both natural and social sciences can contribute to an increased understanding of relevant processes and problems associated with such strategies. ’ Observing a Haor festival is one such social strategy.
Wetlands possess significant economic value and that nationally they are under heavy pressure. The immediate causes of wetland loss and degradation include overuse, land conversion and degradation, pollution, species introduction and recently included climate change.
Underlying causes for less valuation of wetlands are, among other things, price distortions, income distribution inequalities, absence of full cost accounting,
an efficient policy, enforcement of legal instruments and braced by adequate knowledge.
I hope that this festival does not turn into an annual 'show-off but will encourage people from different strata of the society to revisit their childhood memories - glimpses of the past, and to assess the functions performed by wetlands and make a pressure group to illustrate the economic value of the functions performed by the wetlands and help the policymakers I) to eliminate the word 'wasteland' (used to denote the wetlands) from legal documents, ii) to constitute an institution for research and management of the nation's wetlands (unlike the present shabby Haor Development Board), and iii) to form a National Wetland Policy.
S. M. A. Rashid, PhD
Member, lUCN/Commission on Ecosystem Management Baitul Aman Housing Society Adabor, Mohammadpur Dhaka
SUST diary, calendar
Producing required stationeries like diary, calendar etc. is the heritage of the public universities of Bangladesh. At present private universities also offer these as the effective tools of promotion. All the universities try to produce these essential products timely. But for unknown reasons SUST authorities have failed to bring these out in time.
The university diary is not a general diary like others. It contains very useful information for its stakeholders. Different latest information regarding Departments, Faculties, and the authorities are found in this publication.
Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology would publish this document from its inception. In the first week of January we would get the diary. But eight months of the year 2008 have already gone. We didn't get it. The question is 'Why the authorities have failed to print and circulate this significant document tiTTldy1?' n ’’
The university would publish its calendars (desk + wall) regularly. It is the most significant directory for the students, teachers and administrative concerns. We know that it contains the lists of different holidays and other information.
Dates of official and academic
A holiday?
It is a sad occurrence that we as a developing nation fail to acknowledge the core values of our people even at the best of our educational institutions. The 24th of August 2008 was nationally declared as a public holiday for “Janmashtami”, a religious event of the Hindu community in our country. But in certain institutions I have noticed that they do not acknowledge this day as a national holiday and therefore remain open for business as usual. Students are expected to attend classes, regardless of their obligations and expectations.
I sincerely hope someone does a proper report on this issue . Students should be taught to respect cultural and religious values and such institutions should uphold the values of the people, irrespective of class and community.
S. Rahman
Employee of GrameenPhoneLtd.
Attention: CTG
Considering the recent events in educational institutions, labour unrest and local governmental matters, one can easily predict that the nation is going to watch more and more recurrence of trouble and instability in these areas. The ministry of education and the ministry of commerce are definitely not compatible.
These portfolios are better being separated and manned by more experienced policy makers and administrators. Similarly, the portfolio of the ministry of LGRDC needs change, because in this case we need attitudinal change and full knowledge of the local government system. The labour issue is more complicated and needs a high degree of negotiating skill to balance between the workers and the owners. The perception of labour rights and democratic approach is required.
We consider that the issues arc important. Therefore, we would request the CTG to consider reshuffling the cabinet and bring positive changes in policy and strategic decision making with experienced people in charge.
A reader
One mail
Learning English
Your news feature yesterday had an article on learning English. Indeed, ability to read, write and express oneself in English is indispensable. It is estimated that over 80% of the internet and scientific literatures are expressed in English. This means that one deprives oneself of 80% of the knowledge of the modern world by not having English skills. Fortunately, one does not need to preach Bangladeshi population about the importance of English, by now almost everyone is convinced of its importance. The question is how to acquire this essential skill. In Bangladesh, there is an acute shortage of teachers with English skills; as a result, most of institutions including some of the prestigious ones are not able to deliver this skill to the students. It is encouraging to see that many private centres have come forward to fill in the gap although; the standards of most of these institutions are being questioned.
There are many different ways to learn a language, especially English language. In the globalisation and technological age, "Modern technique" means many different ways. But one low tech method which is virtually free is often ignored and not mentioned at all. It is the short wave transistor radio. An eager learner can easily tune in a short wave radio to Voice of America (VOA) or British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and listen to their English broadcasts free day in and day out. They even have programmes of learning English and "Special English” programme. In the special English programme, the broadcaster pays special attention to the non-English speaking listener and reads the programme very slowly. This is very easy for the listener to understand and repeat after them. In addition to being free, the source of the education is directly from the English-speaking countries' authentic source, which enables one to acquire the best accent and tone of English. Depending upon interest, you can concentrate either in American English or British
English. In my experience, once you have learned your English from either the VOA or BBC, you got it made.
Given you know your field and your great English language skill, there is no job interviewer in this world who will turn you down for a good job. I invite all Bangladeshis to take advantage of this free resource.
Nizam M Meah
President, Your GI Center LakeJackson, TX 77566, USA
Prices of rice
We take a lot of interest in your articles. However, it is not right to say that the prices of rice are still high. You are aware that road communications have improved. People are using mobile phones to know the price of rice all over the world. They also know the prices of fertilisers in the world market. The prices of fertilisers are now 10 to 5 times more than what they were in 2007.
EngrA.K.M Khairul Anam
Banani, Dhaka
policy failures, market failures (missing prices), lack of property rights and population/ urbanization growth and consequent encroachment.
Despite the increasing recognition of the need to conserve wetlands, losses have continued. The main reason is that wetlands have traditionally been considered by many to be of little or no value, or even at times to be of negative value.
This lack of awareness of the value of conserved wetlands and their subsequent low prioritisation by the decisionmaking process has resulted in the destruction or substantial modification of wetlands at an unrecognised social cost.
The crux of the wetland conservation issue is non-sustainable exploitation or complete conversion fuelled by this under valuation of wetland resource benefits. A strategy based solely on formal conservation designation will not be sufficient to reverse this trend. Sustainable utilization of wetland resources must be reinforced by
commencement are known through this source also. For this reason calendars would be published with academic sessions.
In the previous years we would get the calendars within the first week of July. But this year we have not yet received these things.
While contacting with any personnel who have involvement with the university, the diary plays a vital role. On the other hand, to fix up examination dates, class schedules, programmes of the departments, cultural organisations etc, the calendar guides us. These are considered as the real 'directory' of a university.
We don't know when the vacation for upcoming Eid or Puja will be start. Official closing or opening days are also unknown to us.
Without having these documents we are suffering a lot Can we get these soon? Who will answer on behalf of the authorities?
Md. Abdul Hamid Assistant professor Dept, of Business Administration Shah Jalal University, Syihet