We’ve to sustain the recognition: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government is committed to sustaining Bangladesh's recognition as a developing country through the expansion of education and building skilled workforce and worthy citizens.

"Bangladesh today is a developing country. We've to maintain the recognition we've got, and for that we need to expand our educational facilities, build a skilled workforce and worthy citizens," she said.

The PM said this while inaugurating a programme of distributing stipends, tuition fees and treatment grants among poor and meritorious students from the PM's Education Assistance Trust under the education ministry.

Hasina joined the event virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

She said the government is firmly committed to building skilled and worthy citizens. "To make Bangladesh free from poverty, education is needed most. We think, like the Father of the Nation, that spending on the education sector is not an expense at all. We do consider it as an investment and that's the investment for the future generation."

The PM said the government is setting up various universities across the country, considering the demand for the modern world.

Hasina mentioned that the government has established Maritime University and Aviation University, considering the requirement of a specific area.

She also mentioned that science and technology-based education along with vocational one is most needed as these could create employment opportunities both at home and abroad.

The PM said the government is setting up 100 special economic zones across the country where huge technical persons and skilled manpower will be needed as both local and foreign investments are coming there.

"We want to develop people as skilled manpower so that they can substantially contribute to economic development of the country. We're taking steps keeping eyes on that," she said.

Regarding the higher number of female students than the male ones, Hasina asked teachers and guardians to find out the reason why the number of male students is falling.

She added that the government has decided to reopen educational institutions on March 30 and all the teachers and employees of the institutions will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by that time. "We've already directed the health ministry to get them vaccinated."

About the vaccine for college and university students, the PM said the government will ensure the vaccine for the students whose vaccination is not restricted by the World Health Organisation.

The PM also mentioned that nearly 1,500 poor students are getting financial assistance for their education every year from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust.

A total of 163,882 poor and meritorious students yesterday received stipends and other assistance for education and treatment through mobile phone and online banking system from the Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust.

Education Minister Dipu Moni, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury and Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division Mahbub Hossain also spoke on the occasion.