Education Minister
No changes on religion made to textbooks: Dipu Moni
Alleging that a BNP-Jamaat-Shibir faction is spreading propaganda through social media from abroad, Education Minister Dipu Moni claimed that nothing new on religion was included in or dropped from the textbooks.
Dipu Moni made the remarks while answering to the questions of journalists after distributing cheques from the prime minister’s rehabilitation fund among the river-erosion-affected families in 2021-2022 fiscal year at Chandpur sadar upazila parishad auditorium on Saturday.
“People who want to confuse religious people are now trying to fish in troubled water ahead of the national election. They want to destabilize the country. That’s why they (BNP-Jamaat-Shibir) are confusing people by spreading a video of wrong information of a lawmaker,” she said.
Also read: Education Minister embarrassed by assault on Rajshahi college principal
“There is no scope to take direct legal action against them. In this case, people will have to be conscious and responsible,” she added.
Additional deputy commissioner Imtiaz Hossain, additional police superintendent Sudipta Roy were among others present.
Dipu Moni, later, inaugurated a weeklong tree plantation fair at Hasan Ali Govt High School ground
Also read: SSC, equivalent exams to begin on September 15: Dipu Moni
Education Minister embarrassed by assault on Rajshahi college principal
Education Minister Dipu Moni on Sunday said assault on a college principal allegedly by Awami League lawmaker from Rajshahi-1 constituency Omar Faruk Chowdhury has embarrassed her much.
The minister said this while replying to a question from journalists at the secretariat after the announcement of the new schedule for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent examinations.
“We don’t have the authority to take action against a parliament member. But we may go the parliament speaker, if needed after getting the probe report over the incident,” she said.
Also read: Rajshahi MP, college principal trash media report on assault on teacher by MP
On July 7, MP Omar Faruk allegedly physically assaulted Principal of Rajabari Degree College Selim Reza, according to different media reports.
The next day, National University formed a three-member committee to investigate the incident.
However, on July 14, Omar Faruk Chowdhury and principal Selim Reza both trashed the media reports at a press conference held at the MP’s political office in presence of Abdul Awal Raju, principal of Matikata Degree College and others.
Selim Reza said Abdul Awal had called him to visit MP Faruk’s office where he found seven other principals and vice-principals of different colleges after reaching. “Later an altercation began among us over forming principal forum committee and other internal issues.”
“MP Omar Faruk had to intervene to stop us, nothing else happened that day,” he said.
Also read: SSC, equivalent exams to begin on September 15: Dipu Moni
MP Omar Faruk said a syndicate provided false information to create issues and different media presented distorted version the incident of clash among the college teachers. “I mainly called them to exchange Eid greetings but they locked into an argument and principal Selim and Abdul Awal attacked each other which I had to stop,” he added.
Dipu Moni contracts Covid-19 again
Education Minister Dipu Moni has tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time.The minister underwent an RT-PCR test on Saturday morning which came out positive, said Public Relations Officer of the Ministry Mohammad Abul Khayer.“Now she is in isolation at her official residence,” he said.Dipu Moni was infected by Covid for the first time in late 2020.Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh reported 304 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours until early Saturday, pushing the country's infection tally to 1,955,731.Read: Education Minister Dipu Moni tests positive for Covid-19
The country's total fatalities, however, remained unchanged at 29,131 as no death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).The daily test positivity rate slightly declined to 5.94 per cent from Friday’s 6.27 per cent with 5,122 samples tested during the period.The country reported its first zero Covid death in a single day on November 20 last year, along with 178 cases, since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
Former Education Minister’s APS sacked
The assistant personal secretary (APS) of former Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has been sacked on a charge of remaining absent in the workplace for nearly one year and misconduct.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education issued a gazette notification in this regard on Tuesday.
According to the notification, APS Manmath Ranjan Baroi, an officer of BCS education cadre and assistant lecturer of Khulna BL College (Culture), has been remained absent from his office since April 12, 2020, without informing the authorities.
Read: Budget FY23: Education allocation to rise by less than 2 pc of GDP
A show-cause notice was also served as per the rules after lodging a departmental complaint.
Manmath also refrained from responding to the show-cause notice, it said.
Later, the authorities concerned served the show-cause notice for the second time and sent it to his permanent address and came to know that now he is not staying in the country.
Dovetailing higher and technical education needed: Dipu Moni
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Tuesday pitched for the harmonisation of higher education and vocational training as National Parliament passed a bill for establishing a new science and technology university in Pirojpur.
Urging people to shed the misconception that vocational training is only for the "less intelligent" and those from the marginal families, she outlined her Ministry's efforts in working towards the development of technical institutes in the country.
"The Education Ministry is working towards establishing technical education colleges, vocational institutes and science and technology universities in important cities and districts to impart soft skills and technical knowledge on the youth," she said.
Also read: Parliament passes bill to set up science & tech university in Pirojpur
Dipu Moni introduced the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University Pirojpur
Bill, 2022, in Parliament and it was passed with a voice vote.
She also told the Parliament that vice-chancellors of public universities are appointed based on three criteria -- academic excellence, contribution in research, and leadership experience in teachers’ associations and administrative post-holding experience.
“Though we want highly qualified people in the vice-chancellor's post in universities, many refuse to hold the position considering the administrative burden,” she said. "Despite objections against the activities of some VCs of public universities, almost all are doing their duties properly."
Also read: Be ready to fight if enemy attacks peace-loving Bangladesh, PM urges armed forces
Earlier in the day, the Parliament session began with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. After the bill was passed, the session was postponed till Wednesday 11am.
Focus on technical education to reduce unemployment: Dipu Moni
Munshiganj, Mar 25 (UNB)--Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni urged administrators to focus on technical education, to reduce the unemployment rate of Bangladesh.
Countries that have paid more attention to technical and science education have become more developed and prosperous, she said, while addressing a proramme at the A Mannan Pilot High School in Char Dewan in Gazaria Bhat, Munshiganj on Friday.
In developed countries like Germany, 50 percent of the students are educated in technical stream, she said.
“I kindly requested the authorities of the higher educational institutions to set up the curriculum in line with the demands of the present world," the minister added.
Read: Power Division hands over Independence Award to PM
The government is going to implement the new curriculum from 2023. Even if the government can change the curriculum at secondary and higher secondary levels, higher educational institutions can only change their curriculum with university laws.
Dipu Moni said the government has taken initiative to ensure practical education at secondary and higher secondary levels.
Now, it's time to think about the university's curriculum.
"We want the universities to think about their curriculum. Let them create industry academy linkages and adjust their curriculum to suit the needs of the working world so that our students can make them fit for the job market from the very first, she added.
Read: Holiday makers suffer as traffic piles up at Paturia Ghat
Regarding the provision of modular education, the Minister said, "Everyone does not need to have a big degree. Students can learn many things through a diploma or certificate courses.
She said, "There is a big trend in our country to gain an honors-master’s degree."
Moreover, they can do post-graduate diplomas in various subjects that will provide employment opportunities at home and abroad.
A quarter out to tarnish govt's image by raising prices: Dipu Moni
A vested quarter is trying to tarnish the government’s image by raising prices of essential commodities, Education Minister Dipu Moni said Friday.
The education minister was talking to journalists after inaugurating a 4-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the 250 bed Chandpur General Hospital.
She said the government is trying their best to keep the prices within the purchasing capacity of the people but some dishonest people are trying to foil them.
“There are ministries and agencies of the government to keep an eye on price hikes and through them the situation will remain under control,” said Dipu Moni.
Read: Not chanting 'Joy Bangla' means underming independence : PM
Replying to another question, Dipu Moni said, “A national policy is being formulated so that educational institutes can operate classes both online and offline during the Covid-19 pandemic situation.”
“We will be able to hand it to the Prime Minister this month,” she said.
Chandpur Additional Deputy Commissioner Imtiaz Hossain, Supervisor of Chandpur General Hospital AKM Mahbubur Rahman, Superintendent of Chanpur police Milon Mehmud and others were present at the programme.
All students to be vaccinated by Jan 31: Dipu Moni
All the students, aged 12 or above, will be vaccinated with at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine by January 31 so that they can attend schools and colleges, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Monday.
Addressing a press briefing at the secretariat, the education minister said 48,19,554 students have been vaccinated against Covid so far.
“Those who have not been vaccinated yet will join classes online after January 12 and they’ll be allowed to attend classes after receiving the vaccine,” she told journalists.
“As we’ve planned, we hope it’ll be possible to complete the vaccination of students in 397 upazilas by January 15, in three upazilas by January 17, in 56 upazilas by January 20, in 15 upazilas by January 22, in 35 upazilas by January 25 and 11 upazilas by 31st January.”
“In other words, by January 31, we’ll be able to vaccinate 75,54,606 students with the first dose at least,” she added.
The education minister also said no registration is required for students to get vaccinated. Students can get vaccinated after showing the identity cards of schools and colleges. A Level and O Level students as well as SSC, and HSC examinees will be able to get vaccinated showing their admit cards, she said.
Among 1,16,23,322 students aged 12-18, 44 lakh have received the first dose while 4,19,554 the second dose.
About the possible closure of educational institutions amid the Covid surge, Dipu Moni said, “Educational institutions won’t be closed now as we’ll strengthen monitoring there to enforce health protocols.”
Decision on educational institutions after meeting with NTAC: Dipu Moni
Education Minister Dipu Moni on Saturday said the decision on how to deal with educational institutions amid the Covid-19 surge will be taken after the ministry’s meeting with the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 on Sunday.
The government formed the 17-member national technical advisory committee with independent experts and government representatives in April, 2020 to recommend measures to tackle the pandemic in the country.
“The government, however, doesn’t want to shut the educational institutions now,” she said while talking to reporters after attending the silver jubilee programme of Dhaka Imperial College.
SSC results on Thursday: Education Minister
The results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations will be published on Thursday, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Tuesday. “The results of the SSC and its equivalent examinations will be published on December 30 from Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to join the event virtually,” she said while talking to reporters after attending a programme at the National Academy for Educational Management (Naem).
Read: SSC, HSC’s 2022 exams likely in mid-year: Dipu Moni Dipu Moni said she would announce the details of the results on that day.