Mr. Mustafa Jabbar, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, said that digital technology and digital connectivity are one of the vehicles for the spread of education. To meet the challenges of the future, it is essential to completely change the existing traditional teaching methods. The method of education should be through the application of digital technology in a manner preferred by the students. As a result, they will be able to learn and retain lessons easily with pleasure. Digital technology has brought significant changes in the education system of Bangladesh. The minister called upon all concerned, including educationists and technology experts, to work in concert to make learning and teaching methods more consistent in this changing system.
The minister made this call while speaking as the chief guest at the international seminar on providing education in blended learning method to meet the future needs organized by the international organization ZEIST in Dhaka on Saturday.
The Posts and Telecommunications Minister said that the name of the biggest road in the world today is the highway of digital connectivity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no important work like health, education, commerce, and others sectors which were not done through digital connectivity. This pioneer of digital technology development said that there are various modern models for education system which are easy, fun, multimedia and interactive which are acceptable to people of all ages in all countries. However, to implement these, the materials mentioned must be ensured to be provided and handled.
He said that, children in remote villages of the country have also got the opportunity to get online education by successfully using the vast network of mobile and internet during the pandemic. Today’s students cannot be kept away from digital devices. Calling it an outdated concept, he said, teachers and parents need to move away from the practice of keeping students away from digital devices, especially smartphones. Many may abuse smart phones due to lack of good content but it is not difficult to keep them away from it.
He said that the government has started digital transformation of education to develop skilled human resources in the country. The minister mentioned that the digital education campaign has already started in 650 primary schools and 28 neighborhood centers in the hilly areas to provide opportunities for digital transformation of education among the disadvantaged people in remote areas of the country.
The minister said to the present students, ‘If you do not acquire digital skills, do not know how to use digital technology, then we will not be successful in facing the challenges of the smart era. Since 1987 in the digital transformation of education, we have made software for children’s education despite facing many obstacles.
The minister pointed out that, Bangladesh has set an commendable example in the world in the last 14 years in continuation of the Digital Bangladesh program and said that Bangladesh has been able to retain its position among the best successful countries in achieving growth even during the pandemic.
He said that today’s Bangladesh is not only the 35th economically strongest country, but if this trend of progress continues, Bangladesh will be established as the best country in the world in 2041.
President of ZEIST Global Dr. Sabyasachi Majumdar, Dhaka University Professor SM Hafizur Rahman, Professor Abu Bin Sushant, ZEIST Director Bedura Jahan and a2i Officer Taufiqur Rahman spoke on the occasion. Speakers highlighted several issues including inadequacy of content and use of digital devices in promoting blended learning.