The National Education Policy-2010, approved by the Cabinet on Monday, extended the level of primary education from class V to class VIII and free education from class V-VIII. The new education policy also raised the level of secondary education from class IX up to class XII.
At the end of class X, a terminal examination will be held at upazila, municipality and thana level on a common question paper. According to the new education policy, a system will be in place so all students would be able to study their respective religions as well as moral education.
The education policy envisages the aim of madrasah education as building good faith on almighty Allah and his prophet (SM) and to enable the students to perceive the essence of Islam, the religion of peace.
Aligning with other modes of education, religion will be studied at the ebtedayee level in madrasah along with compulsory subjects like Bangla, English, moral education, Bangladesh studies, mathematics, social studies, environment and climate change, and science.
"Under the new policy, country''s education system will be inclusive," PM''s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said at press briefing at the PID conference room after the cabinet meeting.
He said all will be included in the education system "irrespective of religion, sex, socio-economic and geographical position, ethnic identities and disabilities."
About the primary education, Azad said the primary education will be gradually made full-free up to class VIII.
In this regard, he told the reporters that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed in the cabinet meeting the need for making the whole education system full free as she believes investment in education as most important.
"Education is the strongest tool for poverty eradication," Hasina was quoted as saying by her press secretary.
Replying to a question, Azad said the new education policy is expected to be implemented from the next academic year and a high level committee will be given the charge to guide the Education Ministry and concerned departments to implement the education policy properly.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was congratulated by her cabinet colleagues for her visionary leadership in the formulation of the much-expected new education policy.
The Press Secretary said Prime Minister after getting the draft copy of the new education policy had directed the Education Ministry for posting the policy on its website so that people of all professions and classes could give their opinions and views about the policy.
"Educationalists, researchers, students, teachers, various professionals, religious leaders and mass people all have given their valuable opinions on the website.
Besides, the government also has collected suggestions from various seminars, meetings and symposiums before finalizing the education policy," he said.
Azad said Prime Minister Hasina at the cabinet meeting reiterated her strong commitment to build Bangladesh as a country of well-educated people.
"The new education policy will enlighten the people with the light of modern science and technology, moral and religious education, and with the spirit of the liberation war of 1971."
Describing the background of the new education policy, he said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the independence formed Kudrat-e-Khuda Commission, but after his tragic killing in 1975, the commission was not continued.
In 1997, the then Awam League government formed Shamsul Haque Education Commission, but it also could not be implemented later.
"After assuming the office this time, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the (Education) Ministry to formulate a time-befitting, modern education policy in the light of the recommendations of the two previous commissions and the present necessities and situation," Azad said.
The government formed National Education Policy Formulation Committee on April 8, 2009 with National Professor Kabir Chowdhury as its head and the committee submitted the draft policy to Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid on September 2 last year.
Then the Education Ministry posted the draft on its website for soliciting public opinion on the draft education policy.
The main characteristics of the new education policy are as follows:
Pre-Primary and Primary Education:
- One year-long pre-primary education will be introduced for 5+ children;
- Adivasi (indigenous) teachers and text books on Adivasi languages will be arranged so that Adivasi children can learn their respective mother tongues;
- Education up to class VIII will be primary and it will be free, universal and compulsory;
- Students will get stipends on the basis of class V exam results;
- All students will have scope to learn their respective religions.
Secondary Education:
- Level of secondary education will be from class IX up to XII;
- At secondary level of general, madrasah and vocational medium, common curriculam and texts will be followed for Bengali, English, Mathematics, Information Technology and Bangladesh Studies;
- At the end of class X a terminal examination will be held at upazila, municipality and thana level on a common question paper and students will be given stipends on the basis of their results.
Higher Study:
- Three-year degree course will gradually be turned into four-year Honors course at all educational institutions;
- Non-government Teachers Commission will be formed for teachers'' selection in non-government educational institutions and to provide them with trainings;
- To decentralize the National University, its centers will be set up at all divisional headquarters and later these centers will be turned into approving universities for respective areas.
Vocational and Technical Education:
- At the end of class VIII, students passing the primary certificate examination can opt for vocational education, if they so want;
- To expand vocational and technical education, technical education institutes will be set up in each upazila while numbers of polytechnic institutes, textile institutes and leather institutes will also be increased;
Facilities for teachers:
- To encourage meritorious students take up teaching profession, the issues of dignity and status of teachers will deeply be considered to restructure the system;
- Steps will be taken to enact an Integrated Education Act and form a Permanent Education Commission.
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