DHAKA, June 8, (V7N) – Prime Minister's Education Adviser Mahdi Amin today announced that the government plans to make technical and vocational education compulsory from Grade Six onward in order to make the country's education system skill-based and employment-oriented. He made the remarks at a press conference at the Secretariat on various activities in the education sector, attended by Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon and State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj.
Mahdi said Bangladesh's education system will be restructured so that students can acquire practical skills needed for real life rather than relying solely on academic certificates. Several new subjects are being incorporated into the curriculum, including sports education, cultural education, technical and vocational education, and a new subject called "Learning with Happiness," which will teach morality, values, responsibility, and civic behavior.
Regarding the new curriculum, Mahdi acknowledged that introducing a completely new curriculum is a long-term process. After assuming office, the government had only three to four months to prepare and print new textbooks, making it impossible to implement all changes at once. However, the ongoing reform process will be expanded further next year. He also announced plans to provide approximately 1.4 million tablets to primary and secondary school students over the next few years.
Mahdi highlighted that over 2.2 million students participated in this year's Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament, describing the combined participation of boys and girls as a significant achievement. He also announced the launch of a national programme titled 'Startup, Science Project and Innovation Idea Showcasing' to encourage scientific thinking. Students with strong innovative ideas will be provided with seed funding to help them grow as entrepreneurs.
The adviser said vocational education will be established as an integral part of mainstream education, with national skills competitions, career fairs, and direct employment opportunities to be created. He also announced plans to distribute one sapling to every student under the 'One Student, One Tree' programme as part of the government's five-year initiative to plant 250 million trees, involving all educational institutions across the country.
END/AJ/RH/
