Emphasizing the need for increased citizen involvement in school budgeting, a recent Town Hall meeting was held in Saghata. This gathering served as a platform to highlight the importance of public participation in shaping the educational landscape.
During the meeting, significant attention was given to the concerns highlighted by IID’s Citizen Scorecard. The low participation of citizens in school budgeting, as indicated by the scorecard, was a focal point of discussion, underscoring the urgency to address this issue.
Organized by IID in collaboration with the Udayan Swabolombee Sangstha (USS) on June 11th, 2024, the meeting was more than just a discussion platform. It was a call to action, aimed at transforming evidence into actionable commitments. The event involved a thorough review of previous commitments, sharing of recent findings, and an assessment of progress, all with the goal of fostering a more participatory approach to school budgeting in Saghata, Gaibandha.
The Chief Guest, Advocate SM Samshil Arefin Titu, Chairman of the Upazila Parishad, Saghata, stressed the importance of citizen involvement in school budgeting. “It is crucial for the development of our education system that citizens actively participate in the budgeting process,” he said.
Special Guests Md. Ahosan Habib (Lion), Chairman of the Muktinagar Union Parishad, Saghata, and Md. Abu Bakkar Siddik, Chairperson of Dhanghora Govt. Primary School, echoed these sentiments. “The involvement of citizens in school budgeting ensures transparency and accountability,” said Habib. Siddik added, “This participation is a step towards improving the quality of education in our schools.”
The event aimed to translate findings into action by reviewing past commitments, sharing new data, and evaluating progress. The presence of Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Head Teacher of Dhanghora Govt. Primary School, was noted, although he did not provide a quote.
The meeting was presided over by Md. Shahadat Hossain Mondol, Executive Director of Udayan Swabolombee Sangstha. He concluded the meeting by reiterating the importance of citizen involvement in school budgeting and expressed hope that the strategies discussed would lead to increased participation.
The Town Hall meeting marks a significant step towards increasing citizen involvement in school budgeting, a move that stakeholders believe will lead to improved educational outcomes in Saghata.
