Quality edn a must for development
Says Nahid
The government considers access to quality education necessary to reduce poverty and a prerequisite for educational and economic development, said Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid yesterday.
"Human resource development by providing need-based education is at the core of our development efforts," he said while addressing an inauguration ceremony of a policy-dialogue workshop at a city hotel.
The two-day long workshop titled “Quality assurance and enhancement in higher education: Experience in the UK and possible implications for Bangladesh” was organised by British Council in partnership with University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh.
Vice chancellors, pro-vice chancellors, deans, researchers and teachers of different universities are participating at the workshop being organised as a part of British Council's INSPIRE project.
The minister said the government believes that education plays a fundamental role in sustainable development, in promoting democracy, respect for human rights and establishing peace and stability.
Out of Bangladesh's 150 million people, around 20 million are enrolled in primary level, 10 million in secondary level, and 2.5 million in higher secondary level, he said.
Financial constraints make it a challenging task to ensure quality education for such a huge population, he added.
"Despite all barriers, Bangladesh is taking great strides towards achieving the Dakar goals on education for all," Nahid said.
UGC Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam said an accreditation council would soon be formed to ensure education standards at universities.
The commission already finalised a draft on the accreditation council and will submit it to the education ministry this month, he added.
British Council Bangladesh Director Charles Nattall OBE and UGC Secretary Md Khaled also spoke.
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