Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Wednesday said the government is considering launching a pilot hybrid education system – combining online and offline classes – in selected Dhaka schools, citing the global energy crisis, chronic traffic congestion, and the growing need for technology-driven learning.

"Not all schools at once, only those with the capacity will be considered for a pilot project," he said while addressing a seminar titled 'Continuing Education and Saving Electricity Amid the Global Energy Crisis' at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka as the chief guest.

Urban areas to see blended learning to save power: Milon

Under the proposed model, students will attend classes in person on some days of the week and online on others.

Milon said this will reduce student commutes, ease traffic pressure, and cut fuel consumption while keeping learners on track with their regular curricula.

He drew parallels with historical turning points, noting that wars, technological shift, and social transformation have consistently opened new opportunities. "Similarly, the current energy crisis, traffic gridlock, and global competition demand a fresh reimagining of Bangladesh's education system."

The minister emphasised that the future of education will be technology-driven and largely paperless. "From parliament to classrooms, digital systems will expand. Students must be prepared for that reality."

On the implementation side, he stressed that teacher training and monitoring would be critical to ensuring the effectiveness of online sessions and maintaining student engagement.

Touching on broader energy-saving efforts, Milon noted the government has already introduced measures such as setting air conditioning temperature limits and adjusting office hours, while also pushing for greater use of solar power and electric transport.

The government will take decisions in phases and implement them through pilot initiatives to prepare the next generation for global competition, he said.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, present at the event as a special guest, expressed hope that the ongoing crisis could be overcome through collective cooperation.