Tk 2,511cr to expand science edn okayed

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UNB, Dhaka :
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Sunday approved nine projects with the total estimated cost of Tk 7,539 crore, including a Tk 2,511-crore project to expand the scope for science education in some 200 government colleges across the country.
The approval came from an Ecnec meeting held at NEC conference room here with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said, “A total of nine projects were approved on Sunday involving an overall cost of Tk 7,539.13 crore.”
Of the total estimated cost, he said, Tk 6,751.66 crore will come from the national exchequer, while Tk 528.90 crore as project assistance and Tk 258.57 crore from the own funds of the organisations concerned.
Eight of the projects are new while another is revised one.
In terms of cost, the biggest project is ‘Expansion of Science Education’s Scope in Government Colleges Project’ involving Tk 2,511.51 crore. The entire cost will come from government funds.
About the project, the Planning Minister said the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education will implement the project by June 2021.
The goals of the project are to extend infrastructures, expand scope for ICT and science research and enhance skills of teachers with a view to expanding scope for science education.
The interest of students and the youth for science education has declined in recent times, though science and technology are indispensable in the current world, the minister said.
According to data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics, students in science education at the higher secondary level declined by 11.12 percent compared to arts and business studies during the period between 1990 to 2013.
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