Dhaka:Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon asserted that education transcends gender distinctions, challenging anyone to claim that a specific gender should be excluded from educational opportunities.
According to United News of Bangladesh, during his address as the chief guest at the certificate distribution and closing ceremony of the 210th Basic Training Course at the National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM) in Dhanmondi, Minister Milon addressed criticisms regarding his previous remarks on gender. He clarified that he had discussed the representation of various gender identities in education, citing data indicating that less than one percent of qualified individuals identified as transgender.
The minister expressed concern over media outlets distorting speakers' remarks, urging them to consider the full context before commenting. He emphasized the importance of highlighting positive developments in education alongside negative issues.
Minister Milon addressed the state of the country's education system, noting setbacks since the Covid-19 pandemic, including weakened academic standards due to the practice of passing students without proper assessments. He also mentioned the impact of political developments and a growing tendency among students to engage in politics over studies.
He highlighted the need for better training and orientation for teachers, contrasting it with the structured training programs for other Bangladesh Civil Service cadres. Milon advocated for a merit-based approach in training programs, emphasizing comprehensive updates to teaching models and pedagogical approaches.
The minister noted the government's efforts to optimize resource allocation in education, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman prioritizing the sector. He called for collective critical thinking to drive the development of Bangladesh's education system.
The event also featured Professor Prem Rizvi, Director (Training and Implementation) of NAEM, and was chaired by NAEM Director General Professor Dr. Wasim Md Mezbahul Haque.