University in each district: Education minister

Bangladesh government will set up public and private universities across each district of the country, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said today.

“Under this programme the present government established three public universities and approved setting up and running of 16 private universities since 2014,” Nahid said at parliament.

In a scripted answer responding to lawmakers’ queries, the minister also said the government initiated to establish public and private universities across the country to ensure the facility to rich-poor section of people for higher education at ease.

He also said works are going on for setting up eight more universities under the government initiative.

He also added that the government has enacted the "Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University Act" as it has already passed by the Jatiya Sangsad and the "Sheikh Hasina University Act, 2017" is underway for passing."

“Besides, the government has been preparing draft bill for establishing the "Habiganj Agriculture University, Habiganj, "Luxmipur Science and Technology University, Luxmipur," "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Aviation and Aerospace University, Dhaka," "Hazi Asmat Science and Technology University, Kishoreganj," "Chandpur Science and Technology University, Chandpur," and "Bagura Science and Technology University, Bagura,” Nahid added.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon yesterday told parliament that the country has a total of 62 schools for the disabled. "The government has launched 62 mental retarded schools at district and upazila levels," he said.

In 2011, the government launched a full-fledged free special school for Children with Autism under Disability related inclusive special education policy 2009.

Menon said four schools launched at Mirpur, Lalbagh, Uttara and Jatrabari in the city, six schools at divisional cities at Rajshahi, Khulna, Chittagong, Barisal, Rangpur adn Sylhet and one in Gaibandha.

These schools are being operated by trained care-giver and teachers and a total of 7,709 disability students are receiving education from these special schools, said the minister.

As per the official survey, the country has 6, 85,263 physical disabilities and 1, 21,047 mental retarded persons.