In order to achieve the ‘Smart Bangladesh Vision’, there is no alternative to working together with the government, private sector, and NGOs to implement an inclusive blended education system in Bangladesh’s education system. On 16 May 2023 Tuesday, an international consultation titled ‘Accelerating Blended Education for Smart Bangladesh’ was organized in Grand Ball Room Hotel Sheraton in the capital with stakeholders from different sectors. Under the initiative of the Ministry of Education in Collaboration with the World Economic Forum and Aspire to Innovate-a2i, the Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Dipu Moni, MP was present as chief guest, and Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology, Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP and Hon’ble Deputy Minister of Education Ministry, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury; were present as special guests.
In 2022, the Minister of Education attended the annual general meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Dipu Moni presented the Bangladesh Government’s National Blended Educational Master Plan (2022-2031) and announced the creation of an Education Accelerator in Bangladesh. As a result, an accelerator was formed in the Ministry of Education and ICT and various private sectors. The four co-chairs of Education Accelerator are Minister of Education Dr. Dipu Moni; Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP; Mr. Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, as NGO representatives; and Mr. Rubana Huq, Chairperson of Mohammadi Group, as representatives of the private sector.
Mr. Suleman Khan, Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division, delivered the welcome address on the occasion. Ms. Tanya Milberg, Head of Education, Skills and Learning Division of World Economic Forum and Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor of a2i, presented the keynote speech of the event.
A panel discussion was held on what initiatives should be taken by public and private institutions to make the education system of the country suitable for blended education. Mr. Md. Kamal Hossain, Senior Secretary of Technical and Madrasah Education Division of Ministry of Education; Mr. Suleman Khan, Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division; Mr. Md. Shamsul Arefin, Secretary of Information and Communication Technology Division; Ms. Nasreen Afroz, Executive Chairman (Secretary) of National Skill Development Authority, Mr. Farid Ahmed, Secretar, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and Mr. Tanya Milberg, Head of Education, Skills and Learning, World Economic Forum presented their speeches as panellists. Moderator of this panel discussion was Mr. Prof. Dr. AQM Shafiul Azam, Director of Planning and Development Wing of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education
In the past decade, the use of digital technology in education to implement the digital Bangladesh vision of the Honorable Prime Minister has expanded widely. The country’s education system faced challenges like the rest of the world during the Covid period, but the country was able to cope with it. In order to face the challenge, educational programs were carried out using various social media including Sangsad Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Radio and online. In the post-Covid period, the government has taken the initiative of formulating the policy of blended education system in online-offline mix in primary, secondary, higher secondary and higher education. A total of 13 ministries under the leadership of the Ministry of Education are working on the Blended Education and Skills Master Plan.
One of the goals of this consultation is to create awareness to make the blended education system fully effective in the coordination of government-private institutions in advancing the country’s education system to meet the demands of the fourth industrial revolution in keeping with the developed world. By improving blended education system, it is possible to strengthen the economy of the future by creating technology-based, equitable and inclusive skilled human resources in the country.
In the speech of the chief guest, the Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Education called on everyone to work together to implement blended education. Dipu Moni MP said, “It is not possible to face the new challenges of education in the 21st century only with traditional education. Everyone has to work together to bring changes in the education system in the new era. Blending the education system is a part of this change but so is everyone working together on this journey of change. Our aim is to pave the way to build a smart Bangladesh by creating a smart education system through the collective efforts of all. That’s why everyone should believe in this mission-vision and work forward.
‘Covid, though unexpected, has given us an opportunity to transform our education system. As a result, we have taken some steps that will help us fulfill our future dreams. We are on the way to fulfilling our dreams. We aim to ensure infrastructure development where all teachers and students can complete the learning and teaching process using quality technology. We are moving towards the solution of skill development through which students will earn their own money and participate in the economic growth of the country. Blended Education Master Plan is one of our steps in this dream journey. In order to fulfill this dream, the government as well as private institutions, NGOs and global leaders like the World Economic Forum should work together.’- He added.
Mentioning the importance of technical excellence in the implementation of blended education system, the Honorable State Minister of Information and Communication Technology Division, Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP said, ‘Our aim is to work with the mission and vision of Smart Bangladesh. Targeting technological excellence will make education smarter. Blended education system can be a timely approach in implementing smart education. To build a smart Bangladesh, students, teachers and parents should be made smart. Keeping that goal in mind, internet connection should be made uninterrupted in all the educational institutions of the country. By 2041, we are moving forward with the goal of providing 100% high speed internet, 100% 5G smartphones, 100% inclusive and cashless economy and 100% green industry based on ICT.’
”In addition, importance should be given to educating students and teachers digitally. Digital Leadership Academy (DLA) will play an effective role towards this end. The Establishing Digital Connectivity (EDC) project is providing 1 lakh 9 thousand miles of high-speed broadband connectivity to educational institutions which will cover more than 27 hundred colleges under the National University. We have already built more than 13,000 Sheikh Russell Digital Labs, more than 300 ‘Schools of Future’ to digitize the education system. To create technological environment to facilitate blended education system. We have digitized 21 books at primary education level. We are taking initiatives to digitize the books of higher secondary and higher education soon. Our policy will be taken further to promote innovation, invest in infrastructure development and accelerate public-private partnerships to build a smart Bangladesh,” he added.
Aspire to Innovate-a2i, implemented under the Cabinet Division and Information and Communication Technology Division and supported by UNDP, will continue various innovative activities with public-private and development partners to implement smart blended education system in Bangladesh.
Also, Mr. Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Project Director (Additional Secretary) of a2i; and Ostap Latsyshyn, an expert from the Division of Education 4.0, were present, along with public and private sector stakeholders.
