State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Sunday expressed hope that major and visible changes will be made to the country’s primary education system over the next two to three years.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a training workshop titled “Classroom Management, Monitoring, Accountability and Changing Expectations for Local Administration in Primary Education” at the National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE) auditorium in Mymensingh in the afternoon.
The workshop was organised by the Divisional Primary Education Office, Mymensingh.
The state minister said the authorities are working in a planned manner to fulfil the responsibility entrusted by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to transform primary education.
He said the workshop discussed school management, ensuring students’ rights and facilities, greater community involvement in schools and effective leadership in the education sector.
Bobby Hajjaj said the primary education sector has made significant progress during the government’s first 180 days.
He said emphasis is being placed on curriculum development, teacher training, a new teacher policy, value-based education, cultural activities, sports and technology-based learning.
Citing the Prime Minister’s instruction that no child should be left out of the classroom, the state minister said initiatives have been taken to provide primary students with nutritious midday meals, free uniforms, shoes and school bags to achieve this goal.
On infrastructure, he said the government’s aim is not simply to construct school buildings but to create modern, safe and student-friendly learning environments.
“We want to turn government primary schools into shining stars in every locality,” he said.
Bobby Hajjaj said a speaking test will be introduced alongside the written English examination under the new primary education curriculum to improve students’ communication skills.
He said an integrated IT ecosystem is being developed to modernise student information management and education programmes, with each student receiving a unique identity.
The workshop was presided over by Divisional Deputy Director of Primary Education Muhammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder.