The government has decided to set up 2,000 computer and 64 language training labs in educational institutions across the country under a Tk-298.98 crore project.
The labs will be set up after the name of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The ICT Division took the initiative to commemorate Sheikh Russel, a student of class IV of Dhaka University’s Laboratory School when he was brutally killed along with Bangabandhu and his other family members by a cabal of army men on the fateful night of 1975.
“We’ve finalised the list of 2,000 educational institutions across the country for setting up the computer labs and 64 educational institutions of 64 districts for the language training labs,” said State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
School and college students will get digital literacy in the computer labs having the scope to develop themselves as the digital generation from their early school life, said Palak adding the students will also get an opportunity to improve their skills on foreign languages as the language training labs will introduce nine languages to learn.
“Bangladesh is enjoying a demographic dividend as the government is working to develop the educated youngsters as skilled manpower of the 21st century by providing the digital literacy,” he said.
Palak said, the 2,000 computer labs and 64 language training labs in the educational institutions would facilitate young learners at schools and colleges to gather ICT knowledge which is required to build a knowledge-based society.
The Sheikh Russel Language Training Labs at educational institutions of 64 districts and upazilas will provide training on nine different languages to students, Palak said.
Their skills in English and other foreign languages, he said, will contribute towards increasing their earnings from outsourcing jobs.
According to official sources, the ICT Division’s move to set up the 2,000 computer labs and the 64 language labs in 64 districts is being implemented under a project titled: ‘Establishment of computer and language training labs in educational institutions across the country project’ involving Tk 298.98 crore.
Of the 2,000 computer labs, Dhaka Division will get 543, while Chittagong Division 387, Khulna Division 228, Rajshahi Division 295, Rangpur Division 218, Barisal Division 183 and Sylhet Division 146.
