Govt okays new edn policy

The cabinet yesterday approved the National Education Policy 2010 which extended the level of free primary education from class V to class VIII. Thousands of poor students are likely to benefit from this.
In another major move the level of secondary education has been raised from class IX to class XII. A terminal examination will be held at the upazila, municipality and thana level based on a common question paper.
Speaking to reporters later the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the prime minister believed in making the education system completely free. “Education is the strongest tool for poverty eradication,” Hasina was quoted as saying by her press secretary.
As regards implementation, the government said, this will come into effect from the next academic year. A high level committee will be formed by the Government to help the ministry implement this policy.
Yesterday’s announcement followed the establishment of a committee headed by Prof. Kabir Chowdhury on a fresh National Educational Policy in April 2009. The committee submitted its report to the government in September. Since then the policy recommendations were posted on the website for eliciting views of the stakeholders. “Educationists, researchers, students, teachers, professionals, religious leaders…all have given their valuable opinion on the website”, according to the PM’s press secretary.
At the secondary level of general, madrasa and vocational medium, common curriculum and texts would be followed for Bengali, English, Mathematics, Information technology and Bangladesh studies.
The policy has also recommended that the three year degree course be gradually turned into four years’ Honours course at all educational institutions. Non-Government Teachers Commission will be formed for teachers selection in non-government educational institutions. The National University will be decentralised with centres at divisional  headquarters.
Also those wanting to join the vocational stream will be given an option at the end of class 8. The entire network of educational and technical institutions will also be expanded to create more job opportunities.
The education policy envisages the aim of madrasa education as building good faith in Almighty Allah and his Prophet (SM) and to enable the students to perceive the essence of Islam, the religion of peace. Aligning with other modes of education, religion will be studied at the ebtedayee level in madrasa along with compulsory subjects like Bangla, English, moral education, Bangladesh studies, mathematics, social studies, environment and climate change, and science.
“Under the new policy, country’s education system will be inclusive,” said PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad
He said all would be included in the education system “irrespective of religion, sex, socio-economic and geographical position, ethnic identities and disabilities.”
Azad said Prime Minister Hasina at the cabinet meeting reiterated her strong commitment to build Bangladesh as a country of well-educated people.
“The new education policy will enlighten the people with the light of modern science and technology, moral and religious education, and with the spirit of the liberation war of 1971.”
Describing the background of the new education policy, he said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the independence formed Kudrat-e-Khuda Commission, but after his tragic killing in 1975, the commission was not continued.
In 1997, the then Awam League government formed Shamsul Haque Education Commission, but it also could not be implemented later.
“After assuming the office this time, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the (Education) ministry to formulate a time-befitting, modern education policy in the light of the recommendations of the two previous commissions and the present necessities and situation,” Azad said.
The main characteristics of the new education policy are as follows:
Pre-Primary and Primary Education:
· One year-long pre-primary education will be introduced for 5+ children;
· Adivasi (indigenous) teachers and text books on Adivasi languages will be arranged so that Adivasi children can learn their respective mother tongues;
· Education up to class VIII will be primary and it will be free, universal and compulsory;
· Students will get stipends on the basis of class V exam results;
· All students will have scope to learn their respective religions.
Secondary Education:
· Level of secondary education will be from class IX up to XII;
· At secondary level of general, madrasa and vocational medium, common curriculum and texts will be followed for Bengali, English, mathematics, Information Technology and Bangladesh Studies;
· At the end of class X a terminal examination will be held at upazila, municipality and thana level on a common question paper and students will be given stipends on the basis of their results.
Higher Study:
· Three-year degree course will gradually be turned into four-year Honours course at all educational institutions;
· Non-government Teachers Commission will be formed for teachers’ selection in non-government educational institutions and to provide them with trainings;
· To decentralise the National University, its centres will be set up at all divisional headquarters and later these centres will be turned into approving universities for respective areas.
Vocational and Technical Education:
· At the end of class VIII, students passing the primary certificate examination can opt for vocational education, if they so want;
· To expand vocational and technical education, technical education institutes will be set up in each upazila while numbers of polytechnic institutes, textile institutes and leather institutes will also be increased;
Facilities for teachers:
· To encourage meritorious students take up teaching profession, the issues of dignity and status of teachers will deeply be considered to restructure the system;
· Steps will be taken to enact an Integrated Education Act and form a Permanent Education Commission.
 
Courtesy of The Independent