Education reform, commission urged at pre-election discussion
A discussion was organised ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election, focusing on key education-related issues, including prioritising the education sector, strengthening moral and ethical education, building a sustainable education framework, and establishing a permanent Education Commission in the country.
The event featured several speakers, including Professor Abdul Latif Masum, vice-chairman of the Bangladesh Student Welfare Trust and former vice-chancellor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University; former government college professor Dr Rafiqul Islam; media personality Mansurul Haque; Nur-e-Alam Talukder, founder of Bangladesh Student Welfare Trust; Ariful Islam Zia; Belal Ahmed, director of the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh (APUB); Anwar Habib Kajal, senior assistant director of Daffodil International University; senior journalist Md Khalilur Rahman; and Mustakima Islam Mim, vice-principal of Trust Model Academy, among others.
The speakers said there is no alternative to quality education in building a knowledge-based society and a humane state. They stressed the urgent need for education policy and curriculum reforms and strongly advocated the formation of a permanent Education Commission.
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Referring to the recent mass uprising involving students and the general public, the discussants said establishing an Education Commission should have been treated as a top priority. They expressed concern that, despite the formation of several other commissions, an Education Commission has yet to be constituted.
The speakers further said the education sector must receive the highest national priority to advance the country in knowledge and science. They recommended allocating at least 6 percent of the national budget to education and emphasised the need for a curriculum that promotes patriotism, ethical values, and responsible citizenship, alongside a stable and long-term national education policy.
An open discussion and question-and-answer session followed the formal dialogue. The organisers said the proposals and recommendations raised at the discussion would be conveyed to the relevant policymakers for consideration.
