Co-ordinated efforts of government organisation (GO) and non-government organisation (NGO) stressed for implementation of national education policy. We must have to look forward. National consensus is a must for national interest. Life-oriented education with human values should be imparted. Development of syllabus and curriculum is essential. Principal Quazi Faruque Ahmed, Member of National Education Policy Implementation Committee said this while addressing as Special Guest at the opening session of a seminar on ‘People’s Voice and Choice on Quality Primary Education’ jointly organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) and Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) at Agargaon LGED Auditorium (level-2) in the city on 27 July, 2010.
He further said, teachers’ standard should be improved qualitatively. Subject-wise skilled teachers should be created. A distinct change in education system is evident. Collective effort is needed for its materialisation.
Because of mother’s demise, Dr. Md. Afsarul Ameen, Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education could not attend the seminar. Prayers were held at the seminar for salvation of the departed soul.
Kazi Rafiqul Alam, President of DAM and Chairperson of CAMPE presided over. M. Ehsanur Rahman, Executive Director of DAM highlighted the Objectives and Sharing of Key Recommendations. Md Azizul Haq, Treasurer of CAMPE delivered the Welcome Speech.
In his presidential address, Kazi Rafiqul Alam briefed about multigrade education system of UNIQUE Project. In this context, he mentioned that under the project a total of 88 thousand 60 school dropouts of 24 districts are being imparted non-formal education. Thirty-five thousand 700 children of 5-6 years of age are being imparted school preparatory education while 35 thousand 700 slow learners of formal primary schools are being imparted education through joyful learning method at extra time other than classroom study. He stressed on reaching the recommendations of this seminar to the national education policy implementation committee as well as the Prime Minister.
Speakers stressed on activating Union Parishad for implementation of the primary education reforms programme. They suggested for proper training for primary school teachers as well as provision for stipends for primary school students. It is essential to take necessary steps for making learning joyful to back benchers, they said. They underscored the need for making arrangements of tiffin for learners and rehabilitation of children who are engaged in risky child labour. They also urged for taking initiatives so that children remain safe and sound during disasters. Educational institutes should be established in remote areas, they added.
The UNIQUE Project of DAM has organised 68 local level consultation meetings in 61 upazilas and seven districts to know people’s voice and choice on quality primary education. Difference is evident in lifestyle and culture of people living in various geographical regions such as hill region, remote areas, char areas and coastal belt. Issues of the consultation meetings at regional level have been sorted out on priority basis giving due importance to local requirements.
Chowdhury Mufad Ahmed, Program Joint Director second primary education development of DPE was present at the working session of the seminar as Guest. Shafiqul Islam, Director Programmes of DAM presented Synthesis from Local Consultation Meetings. Prof Kazi Saleh Ahmed, ex-Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, Dr. Shafiqul Islam, Director of BRAC Education Programme and Mohammad Mohsin, Manager (Education) of UNICEF Bangladesh were present as Panel Discussants. The subjects of their discussion were related to planning and implementation, local level planning and its materialisation and primary education development programme (PROG-3) and other things to be done.