Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced on Wednesday that the government is preparing to introduce technical and vocational training for Qawmi madrasah students, aiming to enhance their employment prospects both domestically and internationally.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister made this announcement in response to a supplementary question from Cumilla-6 MP Md Manirul Haque Chowdhury during a parliamentary session. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to equip Qawmi madrasah students with necessary skills that align with job markets in Bangladesh and abroad.
The parliamentary session began at 3:30 pm with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad presiding. During the first half-hour, Prime Minister Rahman addressed four written questions and six supplementary questions. In response to Manirul Haque's inquiry, the Prime Minister noted the government's decision in 2006 to establish a permanent institution, the 'Qawmi Madrasah Education Board Bangladesh,' through a gazette notification. This board is tasked with coordinating, developing, and conducting public examinations for all Qawmi madrasahs.
Further developments include the 2018 legislative action under Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, which recognized the Dawra-e-Hadith (Takmil) certificate from Qawmi madrasahs as equivalent to a master's degree in Islamic Studies and Arabic. Consequently, six Qawmi madrasah education boards were established: Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh, Befaqul Madarisil Qawmia Gawhardanga Bangladesh, Anjumane Ittehadul Madaris Bangladesh, Azad Dini Adaraye Talim Bangladesh board, Tanzimul Madarisid Diniya Bangladesh, and Jatiya Deeni Madrasa Education Board Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister further explained that certificates from these boards were officially recognized on June 23, following amendments to the 'Private Educational Institutions (Madrasah) Manpower Structure and MPO Policy, 2026.' This recognition allows holders of Dawra-e-Hadith (Takmil) degrees, along with Ilmul Qiraat or Hifzul Quran certificates, to be eligible for positions such as assistant Moulvi (Qari) and Ebtedayee Qari.
In response to Lakshmipur-2 MP Abul Khair Bhuiyan's question about integrating more Arabic subjects into the general education curriculum, Prime Minister Rahman acknowledged the suggestion as beneficial. He noted that religious education is already part of the current curriculum and mentioned the possibility of further development.
Lastly, when asked by Kurigram-3 MP Md Mahbubul Alam about the nationalization of ebtedayee madrasahs, the Prime Minister advised submitting a separate notice for a detailed examination of the issue, promising to present the findings before Parliament.