Dhaka, Aug 9 (UNB) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Bangladesh on Thursday signed a loan agreement for $225 million for overhauling secondary education and boosting education quality, access, and relevance in the country.

The assistance is the third and final tranche of the $500 million Secondary Education Sector Investment Program (SESIP) approved by the ADB in 2013.

Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Kazi Shofiqul Azam and Country Director, ADB Manmohan Parkash signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively at a ceremony in the city.

“The assistance will further support government’s secondary education reform to prepare youths to meet the requirements of a rapidly developing economy,” said Country Director Manmohan Parkash.

“Building on the first and second tranches, the project will enhance quality and relevance of secondary education, increase equitable access and retention, and strengthen education management and governance.”

The SESIP, scheduled to be completed in 2023, is supporting the government’s comprehensive secondary education development program, backed by development partners in a harmonised manner.

The government envisages an increase of about 3.5 million secondary school students by 2023, requiring an additional 145,000 teachers and 10,000 more schools.

The $225 million ADB assistance will develop a competency-based curriculum; improve teaching, especially in science, math, English, and Bangla; promote the use of ICT in teaching; strengthen classroom assessment; reform national examination; and pilot pre-vocational and vocational subjects in secondary schools and madrasahs.

It will also support commencement of harmonized stipend program; introduce resource teacher program; strengthen decentralized education management; and operationalise e-procurement in education entities.

Sylhet , July 26 (UNB) –  The ‘National Campus Journalism Fest’ will be hosted by the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet over the coming weekend.

Renowned writer and educationist Prof Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, who has long taught at SUST,  will inaugurate the program scheduled to start at 9:30am on Friday.

After the inaugural ceremony, the first day’s program includes sequences of  learning session, views-exchanging, documentary exhibition, and campus roaming.

Some journalists including BBC Correspondent Akbar Hossain, Jamuna TV special correspondent Mohsi Ul Hakim outlets will share their experiences, problems and prospects of journalism in the country.

In the concluding session on Saturday, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, the Prime Minister’s media adviser and editor of the Daily Observer, is penned in to address as chief guest, while Vice Chancellor of SUST Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed and Ekushey TV Chief Editor Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul are also expected to attend.

Dhaka, Jul 25 (UNB) – A total of 163 students was awarded the Prime Minister Gold Medal, in recognition of their securing highest marks/CGPA in their respective faculties.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasian on Tuesday handed over the gold medals among the talented students of different public and private universities of the country.

The Prime Minister Gold Medal award ceremony under the auspices of University Grants Commission (UGC) was held at the Shapla Hall of Prime Minister’s Office.

Nurul Islam Nahid, Education Minister and Md Sohorab Hossain, Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, was present there as special guests.

Professor Abdul Mannan, Chairman of UGC, presided over the function where professor Dr Dil Afroza Begum, member of UGC, delivered the welcome speech.

Prime Minister Gold Medal was introduced in 2005 as an effort to encourage the talented students of the universities of the country.

Ministers, Advisers to the Prime Minister, National Professors, former UGC Chairmen, Secretaries of different Ministries, UGC Members, Vice-chancellors from public and private universities, educationists, high officials from Prime Minister’s Office and UGC and parents and guardians of the awardees, among others, were present on the occasion.

Dhaka, July 25 (UNB) – Protesting the remarks of former Dhaka University teacher Prof Akmal Hossain about the participation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Liberation War, Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (Duta) on Wednesday demanded the Home Ministry and the DU administration take legal action against him.

It also threatened to launch a tough movement if its demand is not met.

The demand was made from a human chain formed in front of the Arts Faculty.

Speaking at a demonstration organised under the banner of ‘Teachers against Repression’ at the foot of Aparajeya Bangla of the university on July 19, former teacher of DU’s International Relations department Prof Akmal questioned whether Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina took part in the Liberation War.

The Duta leaders alleged that Prof Akmal made derogatory remarks about Bangabandhu and distorted the history in his speech.

Addressing the human chain, Duta President Prof ASM Maksud Kamal said the Liberation War started with the proclamation of independence by Bangabandhu and it was led by him. “We achieved our independence under his leadership. But Prof Akmal showed audacity by making such comments.”

He also alleged that BNP-Jamaat men infiltrated into the quota reform movement in a bid to destabilise the Dhaka University.

At the human chain, some teachers said they also want rational reforms of the quota system, but the remarks which had no relations with the movement were totally unacceptable.

On Wednesday, Prof Akmal in a statement claimed that his remarks were partially presented and said he had no intention to defame Bangabandhu in his speech.
 

Dhaka, Jul 19 (UNB) – The results of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) 2018 and its equivalent examinations were published on Thursday, showing a pass percentage of 66.64 percent, which is 2.27 percent lower than 68.91 percent of the last year.

Of these, 64.55 percent passed the HSC examinations while 78.67 percent came out successful in Madrasah Board and 75.55 percent in Technical Board examinations.

A total of 8,58,801 examinees, out of 12,88,757, came out successful in the examinations in all the 10 education boards of the country.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid along with chairmen of all the education boards handed over the results to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban around 10:10am. The Prime Minister unveiled the results digitally.

This year, a total of 29,262 students secured the highest grade GPA 5 against  37,969 last year.

Among the successful students, 25,562 achieved the highest grade GPA 5 under eight general education boards while 1,244 under the Madrassah Education Board and 2,456 under the Technical and Vocational Education Board.

The Prime Minister exchanged views with students of Netrakona through a videoconference from her residence on the occasion .

Addressing the event, the Education Minister said this year the results of the HSC and its equivalent examinations were published within 55 days after the examinations were held from April 2 to May 23.

State Minister for Madrasah and Technical Education Division Kazi Keramat Ali also spoke on the occasion, while Secondary & Higher Education Division Secretary Md Sohorab Hossain delivered the welcome speech.

Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman conducted the programme.