Educationists and development activists at a discussion opined that inclusive, equitable and qualitative education for all is very important for taking the nation forward successfully through boosting the country’s competent workforce.
They observed that all the government and non-government entities concerned should come forward and work together to attain the cherished goal of achieving the number 4 (SDG4) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the SDG4 refers to ensuring inclusive and equitable education for all besides creating scopes of lifelong learning opportunities.
They came up with the observation recently while addressing a sub-national consultation on ‘Development of SDG4 Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Bangladesh’ at Hotel Warisan in Rajshahi.
Dhaka Office of UNESCO and Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) jointly organized the meeting in cooperation with Sachetan Rajshahi, a rights-based non-government development organization, under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. Commissioner of Rajshahi division Humayun Kabir Khandakar and Divisional Deputy Director of the Department of Primary Education Abul Kalam Azad addressed the meeting as chief and special guests respectively while Lead Consultant of SDG4 Shymal Kanti Ghosh was in the chair.
CAMPE Deputy Director Enamul Haque, UNESCO Programme Officer Shirin Akter, Sachetan Executive Director Hasinul Islam and its Project Coordinator Sarker Helaluzzaman also spoke.
UNESCO Consultant Zia-Us-Sabur gave an overview of the SDG4 and its directives side by side with the important steps adopted by the government to achieve the goal by 2030 in his keynote presentation. He also put forward a set of recommendations including substantial and sustainable promotion of technical, vocational and market-oriented education on how to achieve the goal properly and effectively within the stipulated time.
Humayun Kabir Khandakar told the meeting that the present government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is very much positive to this issue and has been working relentlessly to attain the SDG4.
He said education is the key to a country’s success and primary education is the cornerstone on which this success is built. Quality in primary education is also necessary to achieve SDG 4 which calls for attaining inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Humayun Kabir urged all the government and non-government authorities concerned to extend their heartfelt cooperation to make the government endeavour a total success.
