ZCZC
BSS-21
PM-EDUCATION-3-LAST DHAKA
Sheikh Hasina said that her government had attached topmost priority to education after assuming office in 1996 after long 21 years.
Then, she said, they took a programme to eradicate illiteracy from the country that resulted in the rise of literacy rate to 65 percent from 45 percent during the BNP regime.
The literacy rate again decreased to 44 percent from 65 percent as the Awami League did not come to power in 2001 and then BNP government had stopped many measures taken by her government to expand education, the PM said.
She said that her government has established many higher educational institutions in the country to make education multifaceted following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation.
The premier said that they have set up Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University and the country’s first medical university Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
She said that they have taken measures to establish 12 science and technology universities and medical universities in every division.
Apart from these, Sheikh Hasina said, they have taken measures to establish technical institutes in every Upazila and at least one university in every district under private or public initiative.
Briefly describing measures for the development of education, Sheikh Hasina said, her government has been implementing the Education Policy-2010.
The government has been providing the students with books free of costs, stipends and scholarships to the poor and meritorious students for higher education mainly to ensure access of all to education, she added.
The Prime Minister said that they have established Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust to help the poor and meritorious students to get higher education.
Around 1500 poor students are getting financial assistance for their education every year, she informed.
Later, the Prime Minister exchanged views with local lawmakers, public representatives, government officials, teachers and students at Golachipa Upazila of Patuakhali, Bishambhapur Upazila of Sunamganj and Sadar Upazila of Bandarban district from Ganabhaban through video conference.
BSS/AHJ/GA/1703 hrs