Govt aims to redesign pry education within 2-3 years:  Bobby Hajjaj

MYMENSINGH, Aug 17: State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said the government expects to bring visible and qualitative changes to the country’s primary education system within the next two to three years.

He said the government is working in a planned manner to fulfil Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s vision for transforming primary education.

Hajjaj made the remarks as the chief guest at a training workshop titled “Classroom Activities, Monitoring, Accountability and Changing Expectations of Local Administration in Primary Education” at the NAPE auditorium in Mymensingh on Monday.

The workshop was organised by the office of the divisional deputy director of primary education, Mymensingh Division.

The state minister said the workshop discussed school management, ensuring students’ rights and facilities, engaging local communities with schools and establishing effective leadership in educational institutions.

He said similar workshops had already been held in Sylhet and would be organised in the remaining six divisions over the next few weeks.

The primary education sector has made significant progress in planning, piloting and implementing the government’s first 180-day programme, he said.

The government is focusing on curriculum development, teacher training, a new teacher policy, values-based education, cultural activities, sports and technology-based learning, Hajjaj said.

He said the prime minister had instructed that no child should remain outside the classroom.

The government has therefore taken initiatives to provide nutritious mid-day meals, free uniforms, shoes, school bags and other support to primary students, he said.

Regarding infrastructure, Hajjaj said the government’s goal was not merely to construct buildings but to create modern, safe and student-friendly learning environments.

The state minister said the next primary education curriculum would introduce a speaking test alongside the written English examination to improve students’ communication skills.

An integrated IT ecosystem is also being developed, with a unique ID for every student, to modernise student information management and educational activities.

He said plans were also underway to install necessary WASH facilities within school buildings to improve students’ health and safety.

He also called for greater involvement of parents, teachers and local communities in government primary schools.

“Our goal is to turn government primary schools into institutions that everyone considers their own,” he said.

Farid Ahmed, Director General of the National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE), the director of Policy and Operations of the Directorate of Primary Education, and PTI superintendents, district primary education officers, upazila primary education officers and assistant upazila primary education officers from all districts of Mymensingh Division attended the workshop.