Call for single-stream edn system

Rokeya Kabir speaks at a seminar at the Cirdap auditorium in the city yesterday. On her left are Prof Anisuzzaman and Nurul Islam Nahid and her right is M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan.Photo: STAR

Academicians, politicians and experts at a seminar yesterday called for a uniform standard of education in the country through introduction of a single-stream education system, which should be universal and non-discriminatory.
They also suggested that primary education should be extended up to class eight, making it a total of eight years instead of five.
Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha (BNPS) organised the seminar on 'an outline of an education system based on equality and life skill development' at Cirdap auditorium in the city.
Speaking as the chief guest, Prof Anisuzzaman said it will be better for the nation if a single-stream education system can be introduced through merging different types of education such as general, English medium and madrasa.
"Education can never be discriminatory. We have to take up a long-term plan to ensure quality education for all students. So, only one stream of education should be introduced to eliminate all kinds of discriminations from primary to higher education," he said.
Primary and Mass Education Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said the government is now trying to reduce the disparity among three types of education -- national (general), international (O & A level) and madrasa.
"The ratio of boys to girls at primary schools is now almost 1:1. Besides, women make up almost 50 percent of teachers in primary school," he said.
Prof Ajoy Roy suggested recruiting meritorious students as teachers to improve the quality of education at all level.
"Our curriculum and syllabus should also be revised and upgraded regularly in line with the rapid expansion of knowledge worldwide," he added.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu said five types of citizens are coming out from existing five types of education systems -- general, madrasa, technical, cadet and A & O level.
Awami League Leader Nurul Islam Nahid said different systems of education should be phased out gradually and the institutions should follow the mainstream education system.
Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), said books at the primary level should be more child-friendly with relevant stories, life-oriented and interesting topics.
Leaders of teachers' associations, NGO representatives and civil society members also took part in the seminar.