PM Emphasizes Skill-Based and Practical Education System

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized the need to shift from certificate-based education to a skill-oriented, technology-driven and employment-focused education system.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of “Teachers’ Training on Vocational and Technical Education” organized by the National University at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on Sunday morning.

The Prime Minister said that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there is no alternative to modernizing the existing curriculum to face challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.

He further noted that prolonged governance failures had damaged the education sector, and it is now time to build a knowledge-based and technology-driven nation.

Praising the role of National University, he said that more than 4 million students are currently studying in over 2,000 affiliated colleges, playing a vital role in expanding higher education.

He stressed the inclusion of modern subjects such as AI, cybersecurity, programming, digital entrepreneurship, quantum computing, and nanotechnology in the curriculum.

To reduce unemployment, he highlighted the importance of apprenticeships, internships, and stronger industry-academia collaboration.

The government has also decided to introduce innovation grants and seed funding to encourage students to become entrepreneurs, he added.

Emphasizing moral education, he said that, alongside skills, ethics, mental health, and environmental awareness must also be strengthened.

He also mentioned that learning a third language in addition to Bangla and English would increase global employment opportunities.

Senior officials, including the Education Minister, education advisors, the Education Secretary, and the Vice-Chancellor of National University, were present at the event.