Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said today that the country’s conventional education system is to blame for rising unemployment, as it fails to align with employment needs.
“Education is not meant to increase unemployment. It should reduce unemployment and create skilled human resources,” he said.
He made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at a discussion marking Language Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day at the Primary Teachers’ Training Institute in Mirpur.
The programme was organised by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
Milon said employment-oriented education remains insufficient compared to demand. The system must be re-organised so that students become skilled, capable and productive.
Although there are demands for opening new colleges, subjects and institutions, priority must be given to actual employment needs and market relevance, he said.
The education system will be restructured to make it employment-focused, skill-based and time-appropriate, he added.
On language, Milon said Bangla, as the mother tongue and first language, retains its dignity.
“Mother tongue is the primary media vehicle of our thoughts, dreams and emotions,” he said.
He said linguistic skills, including English as a second language, are essential to remain competitive in the global context.
Bangla is one of the widely spoken languages in the world and Bangladesh’s contribution to its preservation is significant, he added.
Effective steps will be taken to preserve and develop the languages of the country’s ethnic minority communities, he said.
Speaking as special guest, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said building a strong educational foundation is essential for the country’s future.
He said a strict “zero tolerance” policy against corruption would be enforced across all departments under the education ministry.
“In the next five years, I will have no involvement in any corruption within the ministry, nor will anyone be allowed the chance to engage in it,” he said.
Describing the education ministry as the foundation of state-building, he said sustainable development is not possible if the foundation is weak.
He said three areas would receive emphasis to improve quality — curriculum, classroom and consistency.
Ensuring quality coordination among Bangla medium, English medium, technical and madrasa streams is necessary, he added.
The programme was chaired by Primary and Mass Education Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana. Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Abu Noor Md Shamsuzzaman, along with senior officials, teachers, students and guardians, were present.
