Expanding technical education key to building skilled workforce: Rizvi

Highlights:

• Technical education needed to build a skilled workforce
• Rizvi calls for stronger industry-education coordination
• Students dropping out need technical education opportunities
• Government technical colleges face equipment and teacher shortages
• Experts recommend modern labs and international certification

Building a skilled workforce without expanding technical education is not possible, said Prime Minister's Political Affairs Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (1 August).

"Politics without technology is a tool of exploitation. A politician does not necessarily have to be an engineer, but they need to have an interest in and understanding of technical education and technology," he said.

Rizvi made the remarks at a seminar held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in the capital.

The Bangladesh Government Technical School and College Teachers Association organised the seminar titled "The Role, Problems and Prospects of Government Technical Schools and Colleges in Creating Skilled Human Resources: A Comparative Analysis of China, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines in the Context of Bangladesh".

Rizvi said steps must be taken to ensure that no student drops out of education.

"Those who become disconnected from mainstream education for various reasons should be given opportunities to become skilled workers through technical education," he said.

He also stressed the need for more effective coordination between educational institutions and industries to produce skilled technicians based on the demands of industrial establishments.

He said the government would consider recommendations from teachers and other stakeholders on the issue.

Bangladesh Government Technical School and College Teachers Association President Md Ahsanul Habib Khan chaired the seminar, while the organisation's General Secretary A S M Ahchan Ullah delivered the welcome speech.