Education
Self-learning for Career Growth: Know the Pros and Cons
In today’s rapidly-evolving professional landscape, achieving continuous career growth is a crucial objective for individuals across various industries. One powerful strategy to propel one’s professional career forward is self-learning. This is an approach where individuals take charge of their learning journey. This article delves into self-learning, exploring its advantages and limitations in the context of career advancement.
How Self-learning Strategy Can Help Career Growth
Tailored Learning Experience
Self-learning allows individuals to personalise their learning path according to their unique learning styles, pace, and preferences. In contrast, traditional classroom education often follows a standardised curriculum. Sometimes it might not align perfectly with an individual's specific career goals.
Flexibility and Convenience
Self-learning offers flexibility in terms of when and where one can learn. It accommodates busy professionals who may not have the time to attend regular classes. On the other hand, formal education often requires a fixed schedule and physical presence. This procedure makes it less convenient for those with full-time jobs or other commitments.
Read more: Effective Self-marketing Tips for Job Candidates
Cost-effectiveness
Self-learning can be a cost-effective alternative to formal education. Many online resources and courses are available for free or at a significantly lower cost compared to tuition fees and other expenses associated with traditional education.
Speed of Learning
Self-learners have the freedom to progress at their own pace. They can dive deeper into subjects they find challenging or swiftly move through material they already understand well. In a traditional classroom setting, the pace of learning is determined by the instructor and the class as a whole.
Diverse Learning Resources
The internet provides an abundance of learning resources in various formats. It includes videos, articles, forums, and interactive platforms. Self-learners can access a vast array of materials that cater to different learning preferences. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of the topic at hand.
Read more: Uber Driver Account in Bangladesh: How to Activate, Delete, and Reactivate
Korvi Rakshand's journey with JAAGO: From Rayer Bazaar slum to Ramon Magsaysay Award
Awards are the marks of recognition and encouragement given in honour of any special achievement in certain categories, which also signify the credibility and speciality of a person or any organization. Among all the prestigious awards recognizing deserving individuals and entities across the world, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Asia" stands in today's world as a very special, exclusive and significant one. The award was initiated as an annual badge of honour created to commemorate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of honesty in administration, fearless service to the people, and realistic idealism within a democratic society. Established in 1957 by the New York-based Rockefeller Brothers Fund in cooperation with the Filippino Government, the Ramon Magsaysay Award celebrates the value of integrity, courage, and selfless service of Asian individuals impacting Asian landscapes.
There is a reason behind elaborating on awards in this write-up, especially the Ramon Magsaysay Award in particular, as Korvi Rakshand, revered for his social activities as the founder of JAAGO Foundation, has been nominated for the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award in the Emergent Leadership category. With this year's award, Korvi Rakshand joins the distinguished list of 344 outstanding individuals and organisations whose selfless service has offered their societies, Asia, and the world, by offering successful solutions to some of the most intractable problems of human development.
JAAGO Foundation Founder Korvi Rakshand wins Ramon Magsaysay Award for dedication to education, social change
Through achieving this badge of honour, he also joined the prestigious Hall of Fame of 13 Bangladeshis who won the award in the past. The list includes prominent scientist Firdausi Qadri (2021), environmentalist and social activist Syeda Rizwana Hasan (2012), Founder and Executive Director of Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) AHM Noman Khan (2010), eminent journalist and Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman (2005), eminent educationist Abdullah Abu Sayeed (2004), prominent social worker Angela Gomes (1999), revered village society reformer Mohammad Yeasin (1988), Co-Founder of the Notre Dame College in Dhaka Father Richard William Timm (1987), legendary pharmacist and Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury (1985), Nobel Laureate and founder of Grameen Bank Dr Mohammad Yunus (1984), Brac founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed (1980) and Tahrunnesa Abdullah in 1978, recognized for her pioneering role as a social reformer for Muslim women in society.
From educating a little group of children at the capital's Rayer Bazaar slum to being nominated for the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award, Korvi Rakshand has been leading a revolutionary social transformation all over Bangladesh. For an afternoon chat to deep dive into Korvi Rakshan's role as a journeyman, Dhaka Courier recently visited his office at JAAGO's Banani headquarters in the capital. The entire office setting in the complex redirects as a memory lane of JAAGO's monumental journey for the past 16 years in the country, and within the short office tour and an exclusive interview with DC, Korvi Rakshand elaborated on the eventual past, present and future state of his esteemed organization.
"The journey of JAAGO Foundation began in 2007 at the Rayer Bazaar slum in the capital, with the initial goal of teaching English to underprivileged children totally free of cost - because we thought this would help them conquer the language barriers in their next career steps, be it inside or outside the country. We were amazed to see the response of those 17 children as they asked about promotions to the next class, which made us realise that they envisioned our initiative as a school, and that led us to begin our first school in the Rayer Bazaar slum. Our efforts began to get recognized by society through several of our activities, but we realised the need to expand our efforts beyond Dhaka. We modelled a curriculum integration of both classroom-based and remote education that tremendously brought success in terms of educating children, especially in the difficult times during the pandemic, and now we are focusing on mainstream quality education and bridging the learning gaps with skill-based education to students who are unable to complete traditional studies. At present, JAAGO works with five focus areas - Education, Youth, Women, Climate Change and Governance, operated by more than 600 employees and more than fifty thousand volunteers across the country."
JAAGO schools showcase 22 projects at Annual Science Fair
The reason behind selecting the name:
"In Bengali, the name 'Jaago' redirects to make someone wake up from sleep. Education is the light beam for society to get up and shine bright, and we consider it our responsibility to initiate the much-needed wake-up call with education. The bold, capitalised wording of JAAGO redirects as an invitation to everyone, to join our movement with love, support and contributions. The vibrant yellow colour is most commonly recognised as the colour of friendship, and that is what we do. We bridge the gap in society as its dedicated friend."
On 'Volunteer for Bangladesh':
Under Rakshand's visionary leadership, the JAAGO Foundation also initiated the Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD) program in 2011. VBD has become a youth movement involving more than 50,000 leaders actively working for social betterment.
"Although the initial aim and vision of the JAAGO Foundation was to focus on children and education, our responsibility increased upon witnessing the enthusiasm of the youth. We diversified our efforts, addressing various other issues including youth development and women's empowerment and eventually established the 'Volunteers for Bangladesh' (VBD) to bring together proactive individuals who could collaborate and contribute their energy and dedication to our activities. In VBD, our volunteers elect their local leaders and the power is completely decentralised to ensure the desired performances at the grassroots level."
Winning the award:
"I was travelling and was at an airport when I received a WhatsApp text from an unknown number. The person introduced herself as Susan Afan, President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, and wanted to initiate a video call. Initially, I assumed that she was going to discuss someone else, and it was really surprising to know when they informed me that I got selected for this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award. Turned out that they have been following the activities of JAAGO for the last five years, and knowing all these has been pretty surreal to me."
The present and future:
"In 2020, we obtained NGO licensing, enabling us to collaborate with various international organizations. Currently, we partner with organizations such as UNICEF, USAID, and FCDO, and many donors prefer to remain anonymous. At Jaago, anyone can sponsor a child's schooling by contributing BDT 2,000 each month. We introduced an exclusive scholarship program for women students in public universities, to ease their daily lives and economic conditions. Launched last year, we managed to help 100 students and have enlisted 160 students for 2023."
"Accolades are obviously inspiring, but personally I think this award will help us thrive with more accountability. I would really consider myself successful when I see that our work motivates the youth to believe in their capacity to bring about change, and I firmly believe that our youths are that capable," Korvi Rakshand told DC, ending the conversation with gratitude.
Read more: When local communities unite to co-create a better city: Jhenaidah shows the way
JAAGO Foundation Founder Korvi Rakshand wins Ramon Magsaysay Award for dedication to education, social change
Korvi Rakshand, founder of JAAGO Foundation, has been named one of the winners of the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award.
Read more: Banglalink wins Ookla Award for the 7th consecutive time
The visionary founder of JAAGO Foundation and Volunteer for Bangladesh, has been honoured with the prestigious 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award in the Emergent Leadership category.
Read more: Taskin wins Sheikh Kamal National Sports Award
Often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Asia", the award recognises exceptional contributions in various fields, from public service to social innovation.
Korvi Rakshand has been honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his unwavering dedication to education and social change.
Read more: Dr Qadri wins Magsaysay Award for developing life-saving vaccines
Centre secretary's incompetence prolongs Gaibandha Alim examinees' anxieties
Anxiety gripped 226 Alim examinees and their guardians in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha district, as the Madrasah Board students were apparently provided the wrong question paper during their English Paper I exam by invigilators at the exam centre.
Further complicating matters, the major error on the part of the exam centre authorities only came to light after the students had finished sitting for the exam, with no one having voiced any questions during the exam.
This was only made possible by the fact that the question paper provided to them was not from an entirely different subject or year - but rather one for 'irregular students' sitting the same exam, i.e. English Paper I.
Also read : Traffic police killed in Gaibandha road accident; 3 arrested
Attendance was high on the day, with 226 out of 234 eligible students attending Sunday’s examination at the upazila’s lone examination centre: the Dhumaitari Siddikia Fazil (Degree) Madrasa.
The students describe an almost benign, nondescript day. Once there, the centre authorities provided them with the question paper and they proceeded to answer them. By all accounts, the exam passed without any overt incident, and relatively quietly. No alarms were raised at the centre itself.
Later in the day, they came to know that they had been provided the question paper meant for the irregular students.
"We were forced to answer the wrong question paper, with no chance of knowing," one of them said.
Expressing concern over their overall result being possibly held up over this, Abdul Aziz, another of the students, said: “We don’t know how the matter happened but the invigilators gave us the wrong question papers.”
The exam centre secretary has overall authority for the conduct of examinations at each centre. That job was being filled by KYM Abdullah, the principal of the Dhumaitari Siddikia Fazil (Degree) Madrasa.
Also read : Madrasha student found dead in Thakurgaon
To make matters worse, he has been non-cooperative since the incident came to light. He could not be reached over phone for his comments despite several attempts over two days.
Md Zafor Ahmed Laskar, who was serving as one of the invigilators and is an official of the upazila’s Young Development, said no one informed them, or raised any such issue during the exam.
Despite that, he did point the finger of blame at Abdullah as the centre secretary. "Only he can be held responsible for such a catastrophic error."
Laskar acknowledged that the students and guardians now face more prolonged suffering.
Upazila Secondary Education officer Abdul Momin Mondal said, “It is not right to take the exam with the wrong question papers. If the board allows us to oversee the answer sheets with the answered question papers, the students will get results.
Also read : SSC and HSC 2024 will be held in February, April: Education Minister
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Nur-E-Alam said, “Entire responsibility goes upon the center secretary. No meeting has happened with him yet and I asked him to meet soon to make it clear.”
Terming the incident 'unfair', Prof Kaisar Ahmed remained firm in his conviction that the centre secretary should be the one held responsible and ordered the UNO to dig into his details.
Expressing deep regret over the farcical incident, the board chairman said measures will be taken in this regard.
DPS STS School Dhaka becomes the first school in Bangladesh to launch the Cambridge Early Years Programme
The STS Group has partnered with the Cambridge University Press and Assessment under the University of Cambridge, to delightedly announce the launch of ‘Cambridge Early Years Programme’ (Cambridge EY) in Bangladesh through Delhi Public School (DPS) STS School Dhaka.
A signing ceremony held on Tuesday at the DPS STS Junior School auditorium featured the Managing Director of the Cambridge University Press and Assessment, South Asia, Arun Rajamani, and the CEO of STS Group, Manas Singh, wherein they signed the agreement for offering Cambridge EY on behalf of their respective organizations.
Read: 9,841 pass 43rd BCS written test
Principal of the DPS STS School Dhaka, Dr Shivananda CS and other guests attended the ceremony alongside parents of the DPS STS students.
The Cambridge EY Programme is a holistic educational approach designed for children aged 3-6 years, with play-based learning to unlock a unique intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. Termed the ‘First stage to the Cambridge Pathway,’ this programme focuses on developing children’s knowledge and skills in certain areas, namely – personal, social and emotional development, physical development, communication and language, mathematics, understanding the world, expressive arts and design, and much more.
The child-centred plan aims to enable learners to develop at their own pace, help them act independently and encourage them to discover feelings of self-worth.
Read: School feeding programme to be launched in 150 upazilas soon: primary edu secretary
Regarding this momentous agreement, the Managing Director of the Cambridge University Press and Assessment, South Asia, Arun Rajamani, said, “We are glad to partner with STS Group to bring the Cambridge EY Programme to Bangladesh via our partners DPS STS and GIS. The Cambridge EY programme provides young learners with a strong foundation. It also equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary for future excellence.”
The CEO of STS Group, Manas Singh, said, “At STS, we are committed to providing our students with the best educational opportunities. We are excited to partner with Cambridge to offer the Cambridge EY Programme, which will enhance the overall learning experience of our young students and help us ready the next generation leaders with the right skill sets.”
Read: Memorandum submitted to DU VC demanding relocation of 300 Maitree hall students
About the Cambridge EY, the Principal of the DPS STSSchool Dhaka, Dr Shivananda CS, said, “We are proud to be one of the first schools to offer the Cambridge EY Programme in Bangladesh. This programme will provide our students with a solid foundation for lifelong learning and prepare them to pursue higher benchmarks in future academic and professional careers.”
SSC results handed over to PM
The result statistics of this year’s Secondary School Certificate and equivalent examinations across Bangladesh were handed over to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday morning.
Education Minister Dipu Moni handed over the combined result statistics of the SSC and equivalent examinations to the PM at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban.
Also read: SSC exam will be held under new curriculum in 2026: Dipu Moni
Later, the chairmen of 11 education boards—nine general, one madrasa and one technical—handed over the result statistics of their respective boards to the premier.
The prime minister published the result of SSC and its equivalent examination-2023, which will be available at the respective educational institutions and online from 10:30am.
Also read: Education Minister warns of tough punishment if rumours are spread over SSC exams
Students can see their results on www.educationboardresults.gov.bd by entering their roll and registration number.
Besides, they can also get the results by sending an SMS to 16222. In that case they will have to type SSC<>first three letters of the name of the education board<>roll number<>exam year in the message option of the mobile phone and send that to 16222. For example, a student will have to write SSC<>DHA<>ROLL<>YEAR. The results will be sent in answer to the message.
Also read: SSC Results 2022: 2,975 institutions achieve 100% pass rate, none passed from 50
Some 20, 78,216 students—10,24,980 boys and 10,53,246 girls—under the 11 education boards appeared for the SSC and equivalent examinations in 2023. The theoretical exams were held on April 30-May 23, 2023.
Education Minister Dipu Moni and Deputy Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury spoke at the function moderated by Secondary and Higher Education Secretary Suleman Khan.
Also read: SSC Results 2022: Girls slightly ahead of boys with 87.71% pass rate
How AI Can Improve Education
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising numerous sectors and industries, including the realm of education. AI can potentially address significant global challenges and opportunities in education, encompassing aspects like accessibility, quality, equity, personalisation, and lifelong learning. This article explores how AI can lend support to educators, learners, and policymakers in creating more efficacious and all-encompassing learning environments. AI is causing a revolution in various industries, like medicine and finance. However, its impact on education is equally remarkable. Let's delve into some instances where AI is enhancing the educational landscape.
10 Ways AI Can Help Students Learn
Personalised Learning
One theory in pedagogy suggests that individuals have diverse learning styles, such as visual, aural, or kinesthetic learners. Although this theory has been debated, it is generally acknowledged that people learn differently, varying in work and study styles, learning pace, and ease with specific subjects or concepts. Given this understanding, personalising the learning experience becomes essential. However, manually tailoring lesson plans for every student is impractical due to time constraints. This is where AI-powered personalised learning comes into play.
AI's strength lies in its ability to quickly analyse vast amounts of data and identify patterns, making it the perfect tool for developing personalised learning plans. AI-based learning systems can provide teachers with detailed insights into students' learning styles, abilities, and progress, enabling them to customise their teaching methods accordingly. For instance, AI can suggest more advanced work for some students and offer extra attention to others.
Read more: Top 10 Humanoid AI Robots in 2023 So Far
Furthermore, AI can enhance accuracy in predicting results, assisting teachers in ensuring their lesson planning meets learning targets.
AI's role in planning, scheduling, and creating unique learning experiences for students can free up teachers' time, allowing them to focus on high-value tasks such as individual student support. Several universities have tested the use of chatbots for repetitive tasks typically handled by professors, providing 24/7 assistance to students.
Adaptive Learning
Adaptive learning employs AI to tailor resources and learning activities to suit each learner's unique needs, especially in online learning.
This method involves rigorous analysis of a student's performance data, enabling the AI algorithm to adjust the course material's pace and difficulty, optimising the learning process.
Read more: How to Avoid Mobile Data Leakage and Data Breach
Adaptive learning not only improves the learning process but also saves time and resources by eliminating unnecessary repetition and focusing on areas where a student may struggle. The teacher can offer support where needed, while the student can learn at a comfortable pace.
Many companies are embracing adaptive learning to improve content delivery. A notable example is Duolingo, a language-learning app that provides personalised exercises for learning various languages. The app uses AI to ensure lessons are paced and levelled according to each student's performance.
Automated Grading
Grading assignments and exams is among the most time-consuming tasks in education. AI-powered tools, utilising machine learning algorithms, can evaluate essays, multiple-choice tests, and programming assignments with remarkable accuracy and efficiency, thus saving teachers considerable time.
Using computers for grading ensures consistency and reduces bias, including unconscious bias that teachers may have, while also providing personalised feedback to students. This encourages students to take ownership of their learning and improve in problem areas.
Read more: AI & Future of Jobs: Will Artificial Intelligence or Robots Take Your Job?
Although automated grading has significant advantages, it is crucial to address biases that may persist in AI due to the underlying data used to train the algorithms. China has been experimenting with AI auto-grading platforms, with around 1 in 4 schools using machine-learning auto-grading platforms.
Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) are computer systems powered by machine learning algorithms that offer personalised and adaptive lesson plans based on individual students' learning needs and pace. Similar to other AI tools, ITSs analyse student data to understand learning patterns, enabling them to provide customised suggestions, feedback, and exercises tailored to each student's requirements.
ITS benefits both students and teachers, allowing educators to monitor students' progress and modify their teaching approach for effective lesson delivery. Students can learn at their own pace while receiving support when needed and engaging in more advanced concepts when ready.
A study by the U.S. Department of Education revealed that existing ITS can enhance student literacy by improving their reading comprehension and writing skills. Implementing these systems in classrooms poses challenges, and natural language processing techniques have been suggested for scoring student responses.
Read more: How Can Artificial Intelligence Improve Healthcare?
Smart Content Creation
Creating lesson plans presents a significant challenge for teachers, as each student has unique learning requirements. "Smart content creation" refers to the use of AI to automate and enhance the generation of educational content. AI platforms analyse student data to create personalised and engaging educational material.
This customised content can then be used to create tailored environments catering to different learning outcomes. Students can select lesson plans that align with their needs. AI can generate interactive quizzes, simulations, and experiments using chatbots, augmented reality, or virtual reality, enriching the learning experience.
Coursera is a prime example of successful smart content creation, using AI to curate multiple educational and professional courses and suggest appropriate courses based on students' learning performance, pace, and individual needs.
Learning Analytics
Analysing large amounts of student data can be a tedious task, but AI-powered automated analytics make the process easier. Teachers can use the data to track student performance and engagement, enabling timely interventions and additional support as required. Students can also leverage analytics to monitor their own progress and request help when needed.
Read more: Ai and Future of Content Writing: Will Artificial Intelligence replace writers?
For instance, the University of Michigan offers a dashboard called "My Learning Analytics," allowing students to visualise and track their grade distribution, assignment planning, and resources.
Implementing learning analytics in education may face ethical and privacy issues, as well as challenges related to data collection and analysis. Addressing these concerns with the help of AI is essential to ensuring responsible usage.
Virtual Assistants
Virtual assistants powered by AI can automate administrative tasks such as lesson planning and scheduling, freeing up teachers' valuable time to focus on essential duties like lecturing and engaging with students.
Virtual assistants also provide customised feedback to students, monitor their progress, and offer additional resources based on individual needs. Interacting with AI-powered virtual assistants has even shown positive correlations with students' academic performance.
Read more: Top 5 AI Chatbot Platforms and Trends in 2023
Natural Language Processing
Natural Language Processing (NLP) is an AI field focused on making computer systems capable of understanding and interpreting human languages. NLP has various applications, such as text generation, chatbots, and information extraction. For instance, ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, serves as a language model used by students for homework help, exam preparation, and learning in general. Teachers can also use ChatGPT to prepare lesson plans and check assignments for grammar and information.
It is important to view NLP and AI as assistive technologies, not absolute sources of knowledge, as they may have limitations and potential biases. Careful consideration of the technology's impact on the education sector is essential.
Predictive Modelling
AI-powered predictive modelling analyses large amounts of data to predict various outcomes, such as student performance. This information is valuable to teachers, parents, institutions, governments, and students, as it can greatly enhance the learning experience and set benchmarks. Predictive modelling allows teachers to offer timely guidance based on students' predicted performance and previous test or exam results.
Data-driven analysis helps improve individual student performance and provides additional support when needed, enriching the learning experience. Governments can also utilise predictive modelling for planning educational goals.
Read more: Google's AI Chatbot Bard: All You Need to Know
Augmented and Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have gained popularity in recent years. AR overlays computer-generated content onto real-world objects, while VR creates a simulated virtual environment. These immersive technologies hold immense potential for education.
Students can interact with AR and VR learning materials to enhance their understanding of complex concepts and their overall learning experience. VR can simulate labs for conducting chemistry experiments or virtual dissections, while AR enables studying stars and galaxies up close.
AR and VR technologies have promising applications in enhancing STEM courses, medical simulations, arts and humanities materials, and technical education. They are already being utilized by various institutions, like Arizona State University (ASU), to offer unique learning experiences.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence presents promising advancements for the education sector, benefiting both teachers and students. However, it cannot replace human interaction and empathy, and addressing biases and data privacy concerns remains crucial. Integrating AI responsibly is essential for leveraging its potential while understanding its limitations. The future of education could be revolutionised with AI's continued implementation, shaping the learning experiences of future generations.
Read more: ChatGPT-4: All you need to know
Budget 2023-24: Govt allocates Tk88,162 crore in education sector, up 8.2%
Finance Minister AHM Musatafa Kamal on Thursday (June 1, 2023) proposed an allocation of Tk 88,162 crore for the education sector in the national budget of Bangladesh for the fiscal year 2023-2024, up from Tk 81, 449 in the current fiscal.
It's an increase of 8.2% over the last budget.
In the proposed budget, Tk 34,722 crore was allocated against the Primary and Mass Education Ministry for 2023-24, which was Tk 31,761 crore in 2022-23, while Tk 42,838 crore against the Secondary and Higher education sector, which was Tk. 39,961 crore in 2022-23 and Tk 10,602 crore against the Technical and Madrasa Education Division, which was Tk. 9,727 crore in 2022-23.
While unveiling the national budget, the minister said “We are decentralising education planning and management and implementing a 'School Level Improvement Plan (SLIP)' to enhance efficiency in primary education management.”
Read more: Budget sets 7.5 percent annual economic growth, inflation at 6 percent
Under this plan, the delegation of financial power has been restructured at the field level. An integrated education Programme has been launched to ensure education in mainstream government primary schools for all children of the society including children with special needs.
Some 26,366 posts of teachers have been created in the pre-primary level of government primary school. Recruitment against a total of 32,577 posts including the newly created posts have been completed.
Apart from the recruitment of the required number of teachers, primary school teachers are being trained on 5 core and 3 non-core subjects to increase the quality of education, he said.
Besides, greater importance is being given to technology-based education to equip students for building a ‘Smart Bangladesh’, said the minister.
Read more: Tax-free income limit increases to Tk3.5 lakh
A total of 59,000 laptops, multimedia projectors and sound systems have been provided along with internet connectivity to more than 50,000 government primary schools to set up multimedia classrooms. Some 800 officers have been trained on ICT and more than 1 lakh teachers have been imparted hands-on training to create digital content.
These teachers are creating digital content and teaching in the classrooms. As a result, classroom study is becoming interesting and the children are becoming more attentive in class, Kamal said.
Meanwhile, special allocation is being given to schools for continuing teaching activities in schools in emergencies. The ongoing school feeding programme for more than 29 lakh students of 15,470 government primary schools in 104 upazilas of 35 districts of the country through the project titled 'School Feeding in Poverty-stricken Areas' has been completed recently.
“We are continuing our efforts to transform educational institutions into modern and model institutions. A total of 351 secondary schools and 371 private colleges have been nationalized since 2009 to April 2023. As many as 315 private secondary schools located in upazila headquarters without government schools have been converted into model schools,” he said.
Readmore: Finance Minister unveils Tk 761,785 crore national budget
The construction work of 180 buildings has been completed for the government post-graduate colleges located at the district headquarters. Out of the 1,610 colleges selected under the private colleges’ development project, the construction of ICT-friendly buildings has been completed in 1,473 colleges.
Under SESDP (Secondary Education Sector Development Plan), 33 model madrasas have been set up along with 62 new schools in underprivileged areas. At present, 176 academic buildings are being constructed to expand science education along with 33 hostels under the Expansion of Science Education in Government Colleges Project.
A total of 33,285 multimedia classrooms and 11,307 computer labs have been set up in selected educational institutions since 2009 to enhance students’ proficiency in information technology and to modernize teaching methods. In addition, 64,925 multimedia classrooms and 12,000 labs will be set up in future.
The digital content of 21 textbooks of primary level and the interactive digital text of 16 textbooks of class 6 have been completed and uploaded on the website. E-learning modules for 6 textbooks of class 7 and class 8 and e-learning material of 6 textbooks for class 9 and class 10 have been developed and uploaded. A total of 710 ICT learning centres have been set up in selected educational institutions.
Read more: Curbing inflation without destabilising macroeconomic situation presents challenge for budget: Selim Raihan
Audio-visual training content has been developed for teachers on classroom activities of all subjects of class 6 and 7 and training has been imparted to all teachers through open reading.
Focus on job-oriented education for employment of graduates: President Shahabuddin urges universities
President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday asked the country’s universities to focus more on job-oriented education and research to cater to the need of the employment market.
He said this when Jatiya Kabi Nazrul Islam University Vice-Chancellor Professor Soumitra Sekhar and acting Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University Syed Mahfuzul Aziz met with him separately at Bangabhaban.
President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meetings.
Also Read: Ensure proper spending of public money: President Shahabuddin
The president said that the universities must do more on encouraging the students to take up research and innovative activities, which will be sustainable for the country.
VC Soumitra Shekhar briefed the President about the academic and development activities of the Kabi Nazrul University.
SSC 2023 exams begin today
The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams for 2023 began today (April 30, 2023) across Bangladesh.
SSC exams began at 10 am with Bangla 1st Paper.
According to the Ministry of Education, a total of 20,72,163 candidates are sitting for this year’s SSC and equivalent exams.
Also Read: SSC, equivalent exams to begin Sunday
In order to ensure a conducive and peaceful environment, no one except the candidates will be allowed within 200 yards of the exam halls during the SSC exams, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said in a press release on April 27.