No achieving SDGs without changes to edu system: speakers

Underscoring the need for technical education to reach sustainable development goal, speakers at a webinar yesterday asked the government to build necessary infrastructure to attract students.

The virtual event, "EduSummit 2021" was jointly organised by The Daily Star and Asia Foundation. Speakers emphasised the need for change in the education system and making it more career-oriented to solve unemployment problems.

Former governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Atiur Rahman said the existing curriculum is producing clerks. "If we fail to give good education, it would not be possible to reach the SDGs," he said.

He said due to the unprecedented crisis presented by the pandemic, the government introduced online class system.

"Teaching methods have to be blended in the post-pandemic period and the government needs to build necessary infrastructure," he said.

Atiur said the whole world is facing the drastic impact of climate change. "But it seems our students are not much aware of climate change issues. How would they cope with the world in the coming days if they have no knowledge of climate change," he questioned.

Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said the limitations in the country's education system must be addressed to produce effective human resources who can aid in Bangladesh's transition to a middle-income country.

He said one-third of educated people are not getting jobs as the current education system fails to create skilled human resources.

Nazneen Ahmed, senior research fellow at Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, feared many girls will drop out of schools during the pandemic.

She suggested building necessary internet infrastructure so that students from remote places of the country could get education.

Korvi Rakshand, founder of JAAGO, opined that three different mediums is creating obstacles to proper education.

"Students in Dhaka can avail a different type of education at English medium schools... whereas students in remote place don't even get the chance to go to a good Bangla-medium school. This disparity needs to be resolved," he said.

Seven sessions were held in the day to mark International Day of Education, observed with the theme "Recover and Revitalise Education for the Covid-19 Generation."

The opening session was titled "Lifelong learning – education to instil leadership values".

Country Director of Asia Foundation Faisal Seraj; BGMEA President Rubana Huq, and Global Campaign for Education (GCE) Co-founder Rasheda K Choudhury participated in the discussion.

Principal of Sunbeams School, Munize Manzur; Brac Institute of Educational Development's Executive Director Dr Erum Mariam and representative from Asia Foundation Sukla Dey participated in the session titled "Learn and play – benefits of storytelling and activities in children's education."

Prime Bank's Head of Brand Nazmul Karim; JCI Bangladesh National President Niaz Morshed Elite; Deputy General Manager, of MM Ispahani Limited, Didarul Hasan, and Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre (BYLC) Marketing and Communication Manager Upashana Salam spoke at the session titled "From campus to professional life – reshaping education for tomorrow's workforce."

Former UGC Chair Azad Chowdhury and Professor M Rezwan Khan of UIU discussed the fourth industrial revolution in the afternoon session.

Upskill Co-founder Mustafizur Rahman; Alokito Hridoy Foundation Chairperson Azwa Nayeem and Founder and Director of Kotha, Umama Zillur spoke on "EdTech – innovation transforming the education landscape."

HerStory Foundation's Curator Katerina Don and ULAB Pro-vice Chancellor Shamsad Mortuza discussed the importance of arts and creativity in modern education practices at a session as well.