The document summarizes a study on the current situation of secondary school librarians in Bangladesh. It found that most school librarians are not considered teaching staff and face identity issues. Over 50% of schools do not have a qualified librarian. The librarians also lack opportunities for professional development. Based on these findings, the study proposes defining librarian roles, improving their ICT skills, establishing a school librarianship program, strengthening the school library association, and developing a policy on school librarianship.

1. 1ST
IASL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
ZakirHossain
Inter-Community School, Zurich
IASL DirectorforInternational Schools
amity.du@gmail.com
www.theresearchtl.net
THE CURRENT SITUATION OF
SECONDARY SCHOOL LIBRARIANS IN
BANGLADESH
May 29 -30 , 20 1 8

2.  The primary objective of the study is to identify the issues and
challenge facing secondary school librarians in Bangladesh and
formulate proposals for development;
 Methodology
Qualitative and quantitative to ensure best possible outcomes
 Quantitative-Survey using Google Forms
 Qualitative-Literature review and Interview
The actual questionnaire link posted on School Library Association of Bangladesh
(SLABD) Facebook group and several follow-ups made.
Some respondents did not answer all questions, and the missing responses are
reflected in the varying sample size (n) values.

3. DEMOGRAPHICS
 75 Bangladeshi school library professionals responded
 90.7% male & 9.3% Female
 50% respondents are in between 30-35 years old
 Most of the survey participants are in their early career
position
 Most of the school librarians have LIS Diploma (74.7
percent)

4. ISSUES
 Most of the School Librarians (70.3%) aren’t considered as
teaching staff;
 School librarians facing serious identity problemand social status
against classroomand PE teachers;
 More than 50% schools don’t have qualified librarian;
 Lackof PDopportunities forthe school librarians

5. SCHOOL LIBRARIANS’ WORK STATUS (N=75).
Teaching staff Yes No Not sure Total
No. 12 53 10 75
% 16 70.7 13.3 100

6. WORKPLACE CHALLENGES OF BANGLADESHI SCHOOL
LIBRARIANS (N=75)

7. ALTERNATIVE PD/PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
PLATFORMS USAGE BY BDSL.

8. FINDINGS - FROM LITERATURE REVIEW
In Bangladesh…
 Teaching and learning process in schools do not encourage the
usage of libraries;
 The importance of school libraries/librarians has been, forthe
longest time, overlooked by policy-makers;
 No specific government body forschool libraries;
 No course offers related to school librarianship/teacher-
librarianship;
 The role of school librarians isn’t clarified;
 School librarians aren’t welcome to contribute to the curriculum;
 Teachers are reluctant to cooperate and collaborate with the school
librarians;
 A very few literature had published on school library and librarians
development issues;

9. PROPOSITIONS
 Define school librarian roles
 Improve school librarians’ ICT skills
 Commence school librarianship specialized program at the
university level
 Strengthen School Library Association of Bangladesh
 Develop policy on school librarianship

10. THE CURRENT SITUATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL
LIBRARIANS IN BANGLADESH
 Questions?
 Comments?
ZakirHossain
amity.du@gmail.com
wwwtheresearchtl.net
ThankYou