Government To Modernise Madrasah Education Removing Discrimination

The Education Minister, A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan, has officially announced that the government will modernise madrasah education by eliminating all forms of existing discrimination. The minister made this declaration on Monday during his address as the chief guest at the Deans’ Award and Vice-Chancellor’s Award distribution ceremony, which was organised to mark the 20th University Day of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU).

Educational Integration and Curriculum Reforms

In his speech, the Education Minister emphasised that the government does not want any disparity within the national education system. To modernise madrasah education, the ministry is systematically integrating technical and vocational training into its framework. He revealed that in the coming days, identical question papers will be introduced for both madrasah and general education board examinations across common compulsory and elective subjects. These subjects include Bengali, English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Accounting, Economics, and Sociology.

The minister further stated that the government has adopted critical decisions to establish new schools in areas lacking educational institutions, provide technical education, and modernise traditional madrasahs. He also announced that in the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, students across nine separate education boards will sit for their examinations simultaneously using uniform question papers, marking a significant departure from the previous system where different boards set separate question papers.

Student Welfare Schemes and Human Resource Development

According to the Education Minister, the Prime Minister is working extensively for the development of the education sector, specifically instructing the authorities to provide school uniforms and midday meals to young children. The ministry has already arranged uniforms for approximately 500,000 children, and specific financial allocations for student uniforms nationwide have been included in the July state budget.

The minister highlighted that the syllabus and curriculum are being progressively revised to create an enjoyable and joyful learning environment. To achieve this, sports, physical activities, and cultural education are being embedded into the primary curriculum. He noted that the Prime Minister is prioritizing technical education due to the country’s large population. Whilst the population is declining in many countries across the world, Minister Milan asserted that Bangladesh’s large population is not a curse but a blessing, provided it is transformed into efficient human resources.

The Prime Minister’s vision for young children encompasses the comprehensive provision of school uniforms, shoes, socks, bags, and textbooks, alongside the implementation of a institutionalised ‘midday meal’ scheme to support child development. The state framework is also placing enhanced emphasis on imparting moral education and core family values, alongside sports and cultural engagement.

University Day Celebrations and Institutional Recognition

Commenting on the academic performance of Noakhali Science and Technology University, the Education Minister praised its current standing in the international QS World University Rankings. He expressed his aspiration for the institution to become a model university, incorporating debate classes and producing students who can actively guide the process of nation-building.

The formal discussion session, held at the Bir Shreshtha Shahid Mohammad Ruhul Amin Auditorium of the university, was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Golam Rabbani. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Muhammad Shafiqul Islam, delivered the welcome address. Special guests who addressed the gathering included the Member of Parliament for Noakhali-4 (Sadar and Subarnachar), Md. Shahjahan; the Member of Parliament for Noakhali-5 (Kabirhat and Companiganj), Md. Fakhrul Islam; and the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Professor Mamun Ahmed. Professor Abdul Kaium Masud, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, spoke on behalf of the faculty members, while Deans’ Award recipient Maria Tabassum spoke on behalf of the student body.

During the ceremony, 13 faculty members and 22 students were presented with the Deans’ Award, while 3 outstanding students received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award to commemorate the university anniversary. Earlier in the morning, a celebratory rally led by the Education Minister was brought out on the university campus to initiate the University Day proceedings.