Bangladesh Plans AI Training for Teachers

The government will arrange training on artificial intelligence (AI) and modern education technology for primary school teachers to strengthen their technology-based skills, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said. He said the future of education is technology-driven, but teachers must be equipped with the necessary skills to ensure technology is used effectively.

On Tuesday, September 22, he made the remarks as chief guest at the global dialogue titled “Empowering Teachers in Low-Resource Classrooms to Co-Design EdTech for Student-Centered Learning” at Education House in New York, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to the organizers, the session focused on teacher-led development of education technology for low-resource classrooms and the effective use of AI to support student-centred learning.

The state minister said, “The future of education is technology-driven. However, teachers must be equipped with the necessary skills to ensure the best possible use of technology. For this reason, training on AI and modern education technology will be arranged for primary school teachers.”

He said, “Technology can never replace teachers; rather, it is an effective tool for enhancing their capabilities. Particularly in low-resource classrooms, it is necessary to ensure the appropriate use of technology to make learning opportunities more effective and inclusive for students.”

Bobby Hajjaj said, “We want our primary school teachers not only to use technology, but also to play an innovative role in determining how technology can be used according to students’ needs. Student-centred education can be ensured by bringing teachers’ experience and the potential of technology together.”

The state minister further said that alongside expanding the use of digital technology in primary education, equal importance must be given to teacher training, classroom realities, student learning outcomes and local needs. He said Bangladesh would use international experience and support from partners to undertake effective technology-based initiatives in primary education.

The panel discussion featured Dr Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of State for Education, Higher Education and Skills Development of the Maldives; Alex Wong, Senior Adviser at the Strategic Engagement and Initiatives Division in the Office of the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); and Dr Borhene Chakroun, Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems at UNESCO. Education House also listed them among the speakers for the session.

Earlier this month, work was also undertaken at the government level on an ICT-AI competency framework for primary teachers. On September 8, a workshop on the “ICT-AI Competency Framework for Primary Teachers” was held at the Primary Teachers’ Training Institute in Mirpur with technical support from UNESCO Bangladesh. Bobby Hajjaj attended the event as chief guest.

Later, the state minister attended as chief guest an event organized by the Bangladesh Consulate General in New York titled “From Classroom to Economy: Modernizing Bangladesh’s Education and Skills—Turning Learning into Jobs, Enterprise and Economic Strength.”

Speaking at the event, he said an effective connection must be established between classroom education and real-life skills. The future generation must be prepared in a way that enables them to apply their knowledge and skills to employment, entrepreneurship and the country’s economic development.

The event discussed various aspects of modernizing Bangladesh’s education and skills development system, promoting employment-oriented education and establishing stronger links between education and economic activities.
//DBTech/MTM/SME/MIST//