Education
When classrooms are child-friendly and safe, children are motivated to learn, research shows
UNICEF has handed over 110 classrooms across 22 schools in Cox’s Bazar to the government of Bangladesh.
Out of the 110 classrooms, 76 are newly constructed while 36 have been renovated, said the UN agency on Sunday.
The new and improved classrooms will provide child-friendly learning spaces and better access to education for over 8,000 Bangladeshi children.
The initiative is part if UNICEF’s support to Bangladeshi children in the district of Cox’s Bazar, a district which is coping with the challenge of hosting nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
In addition, UNICEF is supporting the Government of Bangladesh to strengthen teaching and learning through grants that benefit all 657 schools in Cox’s Bazar.
The “school level improvement plan” grant allows schools to themselves identify and address pressing needs.
Read: Supporting Mothers at Work: UNICEF joins hands with Bangladesh garment industry
“Children spend a large part of their waking hours in the classroom, and really, the classroom should feel like a second home for children. Research shows that when classrooms are child-friendly and safe, children are motivated to learn, and school enrolment, attendance and completion rates go up,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
Constructed and renovated with support from the Global Partnership for Education, the classrooms have been fully furnished with desks, benches and chairs for children and teachers.
UNICEF has also put in place access ramps and child-friendly sanitation facilities for children with disabilities.
Prior to the construction works, UNICEF conducted a detailed assessment of needs in 100 schools to identify 22 schools most in need.
The 110 classrooms were received by the Directorate of Primary Education under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
“Congestion was an issue for the children in the eight Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar. These schools have made it possible for us to provide a healthy and inclusive learning environment which is essential for children’s education on the road to recovery from COVID-19,” said Shah Rezwan Hayat, Director General for the Directorate of Primary Education.
Read: Girls lag behind boys in mathematics for negative gender norms , stereotypes: UNICEF
The burden of congestion in schools is felt throughout Bangladesh. Government statistics show that there are over 1,600 congested public schools in the country.
In addition, the average classroom in Bangladesh has more than 40 students, while according to the Government’s primary school quality standards; each classroom should have 40 or fewer students.
ADB to invest $2 billion over next 3 years in Bangladesh’s education sector
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa has told Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni that ADB will invest 2 billion dollars in the next 3 years in Bangladesh’s education sector.
Dr. Dipu Moni held a meeting with Masatsugu Asakawa on November 25, 2022 at the ADB office. During the meeting, the education minister and the ADB president discussed the ongoing projects in the education sector of Bangladesh funded by the ADB.
They also discussed future projects to be funded by the ADB in the education sector of Bangladesh. Earlier, Dipu Moni joined a seminar on “How to Recover Learning Losses from COVID-19 School Closures”, organised by ADB and also discussions on “IFFEd (International Finance Facility for Education) initiative and ADB Education Sector Directional Guide” and “Strategic Thrusts for Bangladesh Education Sector Operation” with the officials of ADB on November 24, according to a press release.
Read: UN, ADB to support Bangladesh's fight against climate change
Dipu Moni thanked ADB for its substantial support to Bangladesh during COVID-19, particularly for providing budget support and financing vaccine procurement. She highlighted Bangladesh’s achievements in development, its graduation from LDC status and plans to become a developed country under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She told the ADB president that the Government of Bangladesh gives highest priority to education. While acknowledging ADB’s contribution, Dipu Moni solicited further support of ADB to Bangladesh’s education sector, particularly in ICT and technical education in Bangladesh.
She requested for extended finance from International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd) for which ADB is an implementing partner. She also mentioned that the Government of Bangladesh is implementing huge stimulus programmes worth 6.23% of GDP to improve the livelihood of vulnerable people, recovering from the COVID-19 fallout. She said that the Russia-Ukraine war has put more pressure on the economy because of rise in fuel, fertilizer and food prices. He urged for ADB’s support to Bangladesh with countercyclical support facility that the country has requested for.
Read: Bangladesh has one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios: Finance Minister tells ADB
ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa welcomed the education minister and congratulated her for receiving Gusi Peace Prize. He praised the progress and achievements of Bangladesh, particularly in social sector, female education and women’s empowerment. The ADB president emphasized equitable access of all children to quality education, harnessing the technology shift in the education sector and addressing the climate change in the development. He also mentioned the importance of increasing the domestic resources. He congratulated the Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni for being champion on International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd) and said that ADB will invest 2 billion dollars in the next 3 years in education sector in Bangladesh. He assured all support and said that cooperation between Bangladesh and ADB will be strengthened.
Dr. Dipu Moni invited him on behalf of the government to visit Bangladesh soon and see the massive development that is happening under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina and the ADB President accepted her invitation and said that he would be visiting Bangladesh in 2023.
STS to introduce Glenrich International School in Bangladesh
STS Group is going to introduce a premium school in Bangladesh, Glenrich International School, to address evolving educational needs and prepare learners for a competitive world.
A brand launching and logo unveiling event was held at a hotel in the capital Monday. Khondoker Monir Uddin, managing director of STS Group, Manas Singh, CEO of STS Group, and Ramesh Mudgal, principal of Glenrich International School, were present.
Read more: UCB holds MCD orientation programme
The event started with an informative presentation on Glenrich International School, which will follow the Cambridge curriculum, followed by the name and logo unveiling programme.
Manas said: "We are introducing a new school named Glenrich International School that will offer 21st-century education to its students in a caring and nurturing environment. With this launch, we are completing the first phase of our dream project of launching four new schools in the next few years."
Read more: Universal College Bangladesh brings University of London degrees with LSE's academic direction
Results of SSC, equivalent exams on November 28
The results of this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations will be published on November 28 (Monday).
Exam Controller of Dhaka Education Board Prof. Abul Bashar told UNB that the results of SSC and its equivalent examinations will be published on November 28.
Read more: No SSC question paper leaked, Dinajpur incident regrettable: Dipu Moni
This year's SSC and equivalent examinations under eleven boards, including madrasa (Dakhil) and Technical Education Boards, began across the country on 15 September.
In 2022, a total of 20,21,868 students took part in the SSC and equivalent examinations under 11 educational boards.
Read more: SSC question paper leak: Kurigram UNO show-caused
Dipu Moni promises stern action against those responsible for bizarrely communal question
Education Minister Dipu Moni said the incident of communal incitement found in the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) exam question paper is very regretful and will not be tolerated.
The minister made the remark while replying to a journalist's question on religious sentiment hurt by Bangla 1st paper HSC exam question at the International Mother Language Institute in the city on Monday.
She said there was a specific direction about avoiding communalism in question papers, but sadly the questioner and the moderator both failed to identify the issue or took it normally.
Also read: HSC exams begin across the country
“The moderator will be identified and actions will be taken in this regard,” said Dipu Moni
She said those who want to sow the seeds of communalism in student's minds will not be allowed to get involved in the procedure of setting or moderating questions in future.
HSC and equivalent exams for the academic session 2021-22 began across the country with Bangla 1st Paper on Sunday.
There, in the Dhaka Board’s question paper, one CQ (written) question raised a controversy and drew criticism.
Also read: HSC examinees decline under Jashore Board
The bizarre and unnecessary passage said that two brothers, Nepal and Gopal (names generally used by Hindu community), had a land dispute. To punish his elder brother, Nepal sold the disputed land to a Muslim man named Abdul. But when the new owner sacrificed a cow on that land during Eid-ul-Adha, it hurt Nepal and he migrated to India.
This question received huge criticism from concerned people and educationists for its blatant use of communal elements, from established tropes to provocative dog whistles.
HSC, equivalent exams starting today
Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams for the academic session 2021-22 are being held from today.
The exams will be held from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
This year, a total of 12,03,407 examinees are sitting for the exams. Of them, 6,22,769 are boys and 5,80,611 are girls.
Read more: HSC exams to be held with shortened syllabus, question paper
HSC, equivalent exams are being held in 2,649 centers and 9,181 institutions.
Examinees will not be allowed to carry mobile phones or any other devices.
According to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, written HSC exams will continue till December 13. Practical exams will be held from December 15 to 22.
Examinees will have to sit for the HSC exams for three hours — for 100 marks — in all subjects.
Students will have two hours to finish the exams — 20 minutes for multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and 1 hour and 40 minutes for creative questions (CQs).
HSC exams are kicking off with Bangla first paper.
All coaching centres across Bangladesh are closed from November 3 to December 14 as per the directives of the government.
Read more: Over 12 lakh students expected to sit for HSC exams from Sunday
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on the movement of anyone except Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) candidates and exam officials, within 200 yards of test centres in the capital.
The DMP announced the new step in a statement Thursday. The public will be completely barred from travelling within 200 yards of test centres to ensure "proper and lawful" exams, according to DMP Commissioner Khandker Gulam Faruq.
Printing work of textbooks to start from Thursday: Dipu Moni
The printing work of textbooks will start from Thursday with aim to distribute those among students on the first day of 2023, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday.
“We want to distribute textbooks on time as well as maintaining their quality,” the minister told reporters in reply to a question at the Secretariat.
“Now if paper pulp is not available, then we have to provide paper even if it is secondary pulp. There will some differences in the quality of paper, but we have to ensure acceptable quality,” she added.
Read more: Students to get new books on first day of 2023: Dipu Moni
Dipu Moni said it is not possible to check all 35 crore textbooks. “We try our best to maintain the quality as much as possible.”
The government celebrates textbook festival on the first day of every year to distribute new books among students which was not held in the last two years due to Covid pandemic.
Now the pandemic is under control, the government wants to return to the old tradition, said the minister.
On October 29, Dipu Moni said textbooks will be distributed at schools countrywide on the first day of 2023.
Girls’ education among 5 core issues in Bangladesh development: Study
Five core issues - reduction in child mortality, increasing girls’ schooling, access to electricity, population density and an aggressive nationwide investment in infrastructure – have played a key role in Bangladesh’s development momentum.
This has been revealed in a research conducted by Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and Mahir A Rahman, a research associate at Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).
The research findings titled: “Aspirational Momentum: The Development story of Bangladesh” were presented at a seminar, organised by the BIDS at city hotel on Sunday.
With BIDS Director General Binayak Sen in the chair, the seminar was also addressed by Prime Minister’ Economic Advisor Mashiur Rahman, eminent economist DrWahidudin Mahmud, Prof Barkat-e-Khuda and Prof Abus Sattar Mandol.
Making a joint presentation with Mahir A Rahman on the issue, Tawfiq Elahi said the development path of Bangladesh can be explained by focusing on family at the core decision-making.
He said when the family decision-making process is linked with the aspirational momentum of a nation this accelerates its development process.
Read: Shaping a "Bangladesh model" for development
“This happened in Bangladesh and it keeps us ahead of other similar nations”, he told the seminar.
Mahir said the research collected data from 26 countries where economic conditions were similar to Bangladesh and analysed their data.
Mashiur said though Bangladesh could not make good in employment creation, the public investment in infrastructures played a significant role in the development of the country.
Wahiduddin said Bangladesh’s development should not be explained only through basics of the traditional economic theory.
“Rather, its unique characteristics should be taken into consideration”, he said adding, the women came out of the home for employment, child mortality rate dropped, family planning was adopted, rural roads were developed and there was no communal conflict—these all yielded combined result in development.
Binayak observed that all the governments since independence continued some common policies in developments that played a vital role.
Is Norway Ending Free University Education for Non-EU Students?
Norway has a long history of providing free university education to students from all over the world. They didn't make any distinctions between foreigners, Norwegians, or EU citizens, but this will all change soon.
The Government of Norway has been advised to impose university fees on students from nations outside the EU or EEA. In presenting its recommendations for the nation's 2023 budget, Norway’s Ministry of Education emphasized that Norway continues to be one of the very few nations in the world that does not mandate that international students pay university fees, and it insisted that starting in the 2023 fall semester, universities should introduce fees to at least cover their costs per international student.
Ola Borten Moe, the minister of education, responded to the suggestion by stating that since most Norwegian students studying abroad pay university fees, foreign students studying in Norway should also be required to do so.
Read Cheapest countries for Bangladeshi students for higher studies
She also emphasized that Norwegian citizens from other EU and Schengen Area nations will continue to be able to study there for free, even if taxes are implemented for international students. Rather, only nationals of third-party countries will be subject to the costs.
However, the change would only be applicable to students who finished their entire education in Norway, not to those who were enrolled in exchange programs.
According to Statistics Norway, there are presently 242,606 resident students in the country between the ages of 19 and 34, with 142,141 being women and 100,465 being males. Of them, over 13,000 were born in Norway to immigrant parents.
Read Study in Belgium: Bachelor's, Masters and PhD options for Bangladeshi Students
The Ministry of Education insists that universities should be well-equipped to attract international students because the quality of the education is good and not because it is free. The ministry claims that millions of kroner have been spent in an effort to improve the quality of education at the nation's universities.
Minister Borten Moe further asserts that if the introduction of fees results in a decrease in the number of foreign students attending Norwegian universities, this will result in more open spots at universities and housing for Norwegian students.
In the country's budget for 2023, the government has suggested providing framework funding for universities and colleges in the amount of NOK 42.8 billion. The Ministry plans to expand the funding for education even more through the proposed introduction of new fees in order to create a better and higher-quality system of higher education.
Read Student Loans in Bangladesh: Banks Offering Education Loans for Higher Studies
Estimated Tuition Fees
Beginning in 2023, all universities are required to collect tuition from all students who are not citizens of the EU or EEA. Although estimates suggest that a single semester might cost as much as 150,000 Norwegian kroner (about $15,000 USD or BDT 14, 12000), colleges determine rates depending on real expenditures.
Accordingly, a three-year bachelor's degree at a Norwegian institution can wind up costing as much as 900,000 NOK ($90,000 or BDT 82,72,000 ), which is obviously a large sum of money for the majority of us.
Although it appears likely that most courses will cost significantly less than this amount, this will depend on the real expenses associated with offering the courses. Less crowded classes with a single professor will cost more than those with many students and several professors.
Read How to Pick a College or University Abroad for Higher Education
Exceptions to the tuition payment requirement
The new regulations for paying tuition at Norwegian colleges are aimed at immigrants from all of the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Africa who have no familial ties to Norway or the EU.
Some groups will, however, no longer be expected to pay tuition at Norwegian universities in the future.
The following groups will continue to receive free tuition at Norwegian universities:
Norwegian nationals
individuals from EU or EEA nations
students who take part in programs for international exchange students
every person who participates in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.
Therefore, it will mostly need tuition for foreigners seeking a free university education who have no connection to Norway.
The government presently pays the equivalent of one student's tuition to the institutions, as they clearly could not function without it.
Read Best Countries for Bachelor's Degree in 2023
Will this modification last forever?
The government presented its proposed annual national budget for 2023 on October 6, along with the news of the new additional foreign student tuition.
Even though it's still not final and can still be subject to discussion and negotiation through December 15, it appears doubtful that this will alter before the announcement of the nation's ultimate budget.
Currently, there are a lot of uncertainties about this new policy, and many overseas students who are pursuing degrees are worried.
Read Studying Abroad: Major Pros and Cons You Need to Consider
We don't yet know whether or not the move will have an impact on students who have already started their studies in Norway.
Although it hasn't been confirmed, there are reports that foreign students who have already been admitted to the university would be able to complete their degrees without paying.
We currently only have to wait and watch how everything turns out. In the months to come, especially as college applications season approaches in the summer of 2023, we will undoubtedly learn more.
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Japan’s ‘Kumon’ method to be launched in 300 Bangladeshi ‘Schools of Future’ next year
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak today said they will launch the Japanese education method ‘Kumon’ in 300 ‘Schools of Future’ under the ICT division by next year and all Sheikh Russel Digital Labs by 2025 across the country.
He said this while addressing an award giving ceremony – as chief guest – for winners of ‘Brac Kumon’ competition at Brac CDM in Savar.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki were present as special guests at the function where Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh, among others, also attended.
Expressing his determination to build a better world for children, Palak inspired the competition’s winners through songs.
Junior Cultural Affairs Minister Khalid said Japanese mathematician Toru Takoshi, father of the Kumon method, designed it to develop his son’s math skills in 1958 as he was weak in the subject.
Read: ICT & Digital Technology to rule in new-look education system
Listing several advantages of the method, he said some four million students of 60 countries across the world have been studying mathematics and English using the Kumon method.
Thanking Brac, the world’s largest non-government organization (NGO), for their efforts to spread the method in the country, he said the NGO has been playing an important role to develop the country’s socio-economic condition.
Ambassador Naoki in his speech said the method will be considered as a model in the days to come in building a skilled manpower in Bangladesh.
Brac officials informed that they have already started the Kumon education method for underprivileged children in Haluaghat area of the port city of Chattogram.
At the function, a total of 330 winners under different categories of four BRAC schools were awarded the prizes.