Government Seeks to Make Teaching the Top Career Choice for Talented Professionals: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has said teaching can never be a helpless second option or an ordinary job. The government is reshaping teacher recruitment and the education system so that the brightest students choose teaching as their first career. He said, “We believe the respect and dignity of teachers is tied to the dignity and image of the state. When society keeps the dignity of teachers safe, the image of the state grows.”
He spoke yesterday as chief guest at the national “Honouring Distinguished Teachers” ceremony on World Teachers’ Day. The event took place at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. Teachers chosen in different categories, from primary to higher education, received the honour. The theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day is “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Raising Dignity and Shaping Our Future.”
The Prime Minister paid humble respect to all teachers of primary and secondary schools, colleges, madrasas, technical institutions and universities across the country. He also congratulated the teachers who won the honour for their own merit and skill. He said, “If teachers become both the need and the loved ones of students, it will be easier for them to face global challenges as good citizens.” He added that after the family, teachers are the ideal role models for every student, and the government is making plans to help teachers present themselves with confidence.
He said, “In this age of fast growing social media and artificial intelligence, there is no alternative to technical and practical learning beyond the usual system. So changing the methods of learning and teaching and updating the syllabus is now the demand of the time.” He said the government has prepared a new syllabus based on real needs. Students will get books under the new syllabus within this year. He stressed that students should ask “why” and “how” instead of only memorising, because curiosity can make a student their own teacher.
Mr. Tarique Rahman said joyful learning has become popular around the world, especially among school students. For the first time in Bangladesh, the Ministry of Education is giving Class Six students a new book titled “Learning with Happiness.” Similar books will reach other classes step by step. He said the education sector now has great possibilities as well as big challenges. Artificial intelligence has opened the door to knowledge, and technical and practical knowledge has become essential in place of knowledge that depends on certificates.
He said new technology has also created fresh challenges for teachers, so Teachers’ Training Colleges must become more modern. He said, “We do not want to see technology as a replacement for teachers. Technology will be the strength of teachers. For this goal, the government is moving ahead with the ‘One Teacher, One Tab’ programme.” Under it, a teacher can use digital lesson plans, question banks, student progress records and other teaching materials through a tab. The government is also expanding multimedia classrooms and free WiFi in educational institutions across the country.
The Prime Minister said the government wants an education system where no child is deprived of learning. He said it is also important to make sure that anyone who drops out at any stage of education does not remain jobless. He called education the biggest priority of the present government. He said, “For the first time in the country’s history, the highest allocation in the national budget has gone to the education sector. This budget will be increased step by step.”
Speaking about secondary education, he said the country now has about 21 thousand institutions at this level. More than three lakh teachers teach over one crore students. He said a large part of this level depends on private and MPO listed institutions. He said some gap still exists between urban and rural areas in education opportunities. The government has many plans to make sure students in every area get skilled teachers and modern technology. He said the base of the reform is equal opportunity, quality education and access without discrimination.
He said education that prepares students for jobs is needed, but a job is not the only purpose of education. He said, “Building morality and character is also one of the main goals of education. If knowledge is not joined with morality, that knowledge can harm society instead of helping it.” He urged that truthfulness, responsibility, empathy, patriotism, humanity, discipline and respect for others become an inseparable part of education. He said after the family, teachers can play the most important role in inspiring students with moral values.
The Prime Minister spoke about several government steps to ensure the financial security of teachers and make teaching a more respected and competitive profession. He said the government is working especially for primary, secondary and higher secondary teachers. He said teacher recruitment and the education system are being reshaped as needed to attract the brightest to teaching. He said the president and the Prime Minister invite people from many walks of life to state buildings on national days like Independence Day and Victory Day. From this year, based on a policy, organisers are being told to invite at least one primary and one secondary school teacher to these events.
He said a teacher remains respected by the state for life, in service or in retirement, because of the noble profession. He said the government has ordered an end to harassment over salaries and pensions. He said, “A teacher should not have to run around offices just for salary or pension. Their due money must reach them through the bank, on time and as per rules.” He said, “The teachers of the country are among the main tools for building a knowledge based state and society.” World Teachers’ Day is observed around the world every year to highlight the dignity, rights and professional growth of teachers and the need for quality education.
Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon presided over the event. National Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah, Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson and adviser Mr. Mahdi Amin, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Mr. Bobby Hajjaj, and Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Education Mr. Md. Selim Bhuiyan also spoke.
