PM For Expediting The Process Of Rangamati Science And Technology University

Addressing the officials of the ministry at Bangladesh Secretariat the Prime Minister also asked the officials to formulate a policy on enrollment of the school and colleges under Monthly Payment Order (MPO) for construction of school and colleges in every district in a planned manner.

"Every year we get so many requests for inclusion of new schools and colleges under MPO. But, I think we should have a policy how many school and colleges and teachers are needed in the area for secondary and higher secondary education in every district," she said.

The Prime Minister arrived at the Ministry of Education today as part of her plan to visit every ministry after taking office in January this year for the third time. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid welcomed the Prime Minister in the ministry while secretary of the ministry Muhamad Sadik, heads of different institutions and senior officials were present.

Sheikh Hasina said her government considers the educational expenditures as an investment, so the government, if necessary, would give all support for construction of schools and colleges. "However the expenditures should be incurred under a system for the development of schools and colleges where it's needed most," she said.

Sheikh Hasina laid importance on construction of residential schools in the inaccessible areas of the hill districts considering its complicated communication system to glow the light of education in those areas along with creating educational facilities for poor boys and girls of Char areas.

Sheikh Hasina said she's unhappy for the delay in construction of Rangamati Science and Technology University. "The plan for construction of the fully residential university was taken along with 11 others science and technology universities," she said.

The government has requested Bhutan government to provide necessary help for designing of the university, she said, adding, the architectural view of the university should be designed in consistence with the scenic beauty of the local area and it would also be an attractive tourist spot of the country.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken steps for giving housing facilities for homeless people of the char areas. "But education of the children is also necessary," she said.

Pointing out the introduction of grade marking system in the primary and secondary education level, the Prime Minister said the system has helped linking our education with global system. She extended her thanks to all concerned for their excellent work to introduce primary school certificate and junior school certificate examinations.

Expressing her satisfaction over success rate of students at primary and secondary school examination, she said, "I want to see the rate over 98 percent from current 92 percent. I don't see any lack of merit among our students." she said.

"But they need our support to show their excellence," she said adding the government extending support to the students with free textbooks, scholarships, stipends and allowances.

She thanked the education ministry officials to reach the textbooks to the students at the beginning of the academic year despite multifarious hurdles created by BNP and its allies in the name of political movement.

The prime Minister said her government is giving stipend to 78,70,129

primary school students along with stipend to 40 lakh students at secondary level. "If there was financial ability, her government would have made the whole education system free of cost," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said, so far only females were entitled for scholarship from Education Assistance Trust Fund for their studies at degree level. "But from this year around 1.77 lakh student both male and females were listed for scholarship this year," she said.

The Prime Minister said, her government has established specialized universities for study on textile engineering, leather engineering, nursing education and maritime studies and research. She said the government would pass a law in the next session of the parliament for establishment of a maritime institute in Cox's Bazaar.

Sheikh Hasina said, her government wants to take the country forward, which is not possible without education. She urged the teachers to give importance on math and science saying students also welcomed education on ICT. "All books should be converted to e-book," she said.

The prime minister said, importance should be given on scientific education and research as well as studies on commerce and business. "Every district would have specialized university with modern curriculum. Importance should also be given to help people to continue their family profession. Otherwise we would lose our many tradition and heritage," she said.

-Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)