ZCZC
BSS-42
PM-ADDRESS-NATION 4 LAST-DHAKA
The prime minister said digital technology has emerged as a bliss and key medium of communication and trade-business during the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to the farsighted plan of establishing “Digital Bangladesh” taken by her government.
The number of internet users has exceeded 11 crore mark during this Coronavirus period, she said, adding internet connection has been provided through fiber optic cable to 18,434 government organizations and 3,800 unions.
Sheikh Hasina said the country’s own satellite Bangabandhu-I has been providing feed to all local satellite TV channels and internet to remote islands as well as offering services to private banks and Bangladesh Army.
The premier said academic activities are being continued through television and different online platforms for the students when the school and colleges remain closed.
Moreover, distribution of free textbooks has been started from the very first day of the New Year, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has provided a total of Taka 2,958 crore as stipend from primary to higher education level in fiscal 2019-20 and Taka 111 crore to 2,10,049 honours or equivalent-level students under education assistance trust of the Prime Minister in 2020.
The premier said each primary school student will get Taka 1,000 as kit allowance in 2021 on the occasion of Mujib Borsha and the scheme will require a total of Taka 1,400 crore.
Besides, she said, a total of 148,061 teachers and employees of 7,624 MPO-listed Madrashas are receiving Taka 276 crore each month as salaries and allowances.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has included 499 new Madrashas in the MPO list in 2020, while Taka 3.15 crore is being given as grants to 4,529 teachers of 519 Ebtedayee Madrashas in every three months.
In addition, 560 model mosques and Islamic cultural centers are being constructed across the country, she said.
BSS/AHJ/MAK/SH/2015 HRS