Education Minister’s 4 Questions to Educationists
In the post-Covid transformed world situation, Blended Learning will bring a balanced environment in the education system, said Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni. According to her, by using the inherent strength and capacity of individuals and society, we should move out of the colonial education system on the path of smart education. In this regard, she emphasized creating a sustainable infrastructure that is accessible and affordable for both teachers and students. Dr. Dipu Moni urged to move forward in a coordinated manner in this regard.
She made this call while speaking as the chief guest at the meeting titled ‘Accelerating Blended Education for Smart Bangladesh’ held at Hotel Sheraton on Tuesday night. At the same time, the minister threw three questions in front of the educators present. She wanted to know that, what kind of teaching process, content and resources can ensure quality education for students? What is the most effective model for training our teachers? The best form of assessment is one that allows for self-learning, understanding of what has been taught, and above all, assessment that is appropriate.
The minister said, today’s meeting agreed that the traditional education system is not enough today to fit the equation of how our students can learn and prepare for the challenges of the 21st century. And now is the time to collectively act for change. And in this case, blended learning is one of the components in that equation. So we all have to work with trust in each other to build 2041 Smart Bangladesh in unity to utilize our capabilities. Now is the time to figure out how we can best use our resources and how to create more quality resources for students.
High speed broadband connection in 1 lakh 9 thousand educational institutions of the country within six months: Palak
The State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak assured the Minister of Education that it will be possible to connect 1 lakh 9 thousand educational institutions of the country to high speed broadband internet within the next six months.
Palak highlighted the information of setting up one computer lab in every educational institution in addition to 13 thousand Sheikh Russel digital labs with 17 laptops and an interactive board from the ICT Division to build a smart Bangladesh. He said, to meet the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution, opportunities for research and practical experience are being created with robotics fabrication lab, AR, VR and so on.
The ICT State Minister also expressed optimism and said, ‘This year we may be able to establish Center for Four IR with the help of World Economic Forum. Also under the EDC project we have simultaneously taken up a plan to connect 2700 colleges under the National University to the Internet. Initiatives have been taken to make digital devices used in education in the country. Introducing Kumon Education system. Attention is being given to the STEM education system as well.’
In his speech, Deputy Minister of Education Mahibul Hasan Naufel said that the outline of blended education system is being formulated using the experience of Covid. He said, our goodwill will consolidate our position in the new transition system.
Emphasizing the importance of technical education, he said, we started from scratch in the development of technical education. This rate was 0.4 percent. But this rate is the highest in any developing country. But our government has now increased this rate to 80 percent.
Under the initiative of the Ministry of Education and with the joint cooperation of World Economic Forum and Aspire to Innovate (a2i), the Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Department, Soleman Khan, delivered the welcome address in this meeting.
I Am the Solution, Not AI: Anir Chowdhury
At the beginning of the meeting, Tania Milberg, Head of World Economic Education, Skills and Learning Department and Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor of a2i presented the keynote speech. In the presentation, Anir Chowdhury said that 63 initiatives have already been taken from the ICT Division to implement blended education by 2027. At a cost of $1.7 billion, it will be possible to connect 90,000 educational institutions, train 2.8 million teachers and reach 45 million students. In this every student and trainee will become a problem solver. In fact, they will take the place of artificial intelligence. Bangladesh’s blended learning slogan will be, ‘I am the solution not AI’.
After that, the senior secretary of Technical and Madrasa Education Department of the Ministry of Education Md. Kamal Hossain, Secretary of Secondary and Department Soleman Khan, Secretary of Information and Communication Technology Department Md. Samsul Arefin presented their views in the panel discussion on what initiatives should be taken by public and private institutions to make the country’s education system suitable for blended education. Executive Chairman of National Skill Development Authority Nasreen Afroz and World Economic Forum’s Education, Skills and Learning Division PD Tania Milberg, BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh and Mohammadi Group Chairperson Rubana Haque also spoke.
While speaking as the President, the A2I project director Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir said, ‘Our speakers gave importance to three issues in their speeches. These are connectivity, devices and interactive content. Again three ministers are present among us. A minister, A State Minister and another Deputy Minister. They possess three qualities – they are creative, eloquent and smart. They also have qualities of harmony, wisdom and understanding. These three are national numbers. This number is for everyone’.