Finance Minister AMA Muhith while addressing at a function organized on the occasion of handing over scholarships among students of higher secondary level in the capital on Saturday said the government is providing special focus on education since it is the main tool to develop Bangladesh and implement present government’s Vision-2041 and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Without education development of a nation is not possible as development alone is the key for progress for the country.

Education is one of the basic human rights as enshrined in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But how many people enjoy this right in the country? The overall scenario in the educational arena in the country does not show much promise. When the government has taken various measures for promoting education in the country, including female education, the school dropout problem is a matter of grave concern. Quality education still eludes the children belonging to underprivileged classes. Leak of question papers in public examinations in the country is a disturbing phenomenon. Mushroom growth of coaching centres does not speak of a healthy trend.   

Hundreds of schools in rural areas lack infrastructural facilities and competent teachers, hampering education. Many schools damaged by cyclones and floods are yet to be reconstructed. Children from urban areas as well as from remote rural areas should enjoy the equal facility of education. There should not be any discrimination in matters of receiving quality education. But what is happening is frustrating. Ensuring educational rights to all children is vital to attain hundred per cent literacy targets.

The present government has announced a number of incentives, including midday meal and some financial incentives, to lure students to come to schools. More such measures are the demand of the day.  The quality education should not be confined to a section of elite class rather it will have to be disseminated to the larger section of the people. The poor students should also have access to technical education equally.