The government plans to introduce technical education in all secondary schools, including madrasas by 2022 in order to upgrade quality of teaching and also achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni made this remark while addressing a virtual seminar titled, ‘Technical and Madrasa Education: What to do to achieve SDGs’ organised by Education Reporters Association, Bangladesh (ERAB) on Monday.
Education Minister said, “We are making technical education compulsory in general education and madrasa education as well. We have made arrangements to introduce at least two trades (Technical Subjects) compulsory in class nine and class ten. I hoped to launch it in 2021. if the corona situation ends sooner, we plan to launch it in every institution by 2022.”
“Enrolment in technical education is expected to increase further with such initiative. We will have one technical educational institution in each upazila. These institutions will have modern teaching facilities,” she added.
Dr Dipu Moni said, “We are moving forward with the ideologies Bangabandhu had on mind about how to develop education in Bangladesh. We have to move forward with science related education, action oriented education and practical education. We have to teach our children how to learn.”
About the quality of technical education, she said, “Focusing on quality of education is required for the expansion of technical education. We have not hired teachers for a long time. I have directed concerned officials to recruit more teachers to support in technical education. Teachers need to be trained. There should be quality laboratory and equipment and the linkage between industry and academy is very important.”
Speaking as the special guest, Md Aminul Islam Khan, Secretary of Technical and Madrasah Education Division, said, “It is necessary to focus on developing the education sector. The age has already been raised in technical education so that everyone has the equal opportunity to learn. Besides, ensuring quality education is also very important.”
Prof Morad Hossain Mollah, Chairman of Bangladesh Technical Education Board, said, “Bangladesh Technical Education Board is working to educate 30 per cent students in technical education by 2030 and 50 per cent by 2040. Every year about 23 to 28 lakh people are joining the labor market. We have to train this manpower in technical education as per the demand of industry.”
Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board Chairman Professor Kaiser Ahmed, emphasized on equal opportunities for all in improving the quality of madrasa education, improving the quality of life of teachers, expanding scholarships, providing opportunities for lifelong learning and launching commerce department in madrasas.
Education Reporters Association, Bangladesh (IRAB) Mostaq Ahmed presided over the seminar. Former General Secretary of the organization Sabbir Newaz gave a welcome speech and Treasurer of the organization Shariful Alam Sumon presented the keynote address at the programme.
