Md. Mafiz Uddin Sarker, Rangpur

Educators and experts put emphasis on Advanced technology and skill -based teaching - learning to ensure smart education in the country.

Speakers made the observations in a daylong Rangpur Divisional Teachers Conference -2024 styled ‘’Smart Education to implement Smart Bangladesh under Teachers’ Leadership’’ at Police Lines School & College of the city on Saturday.

Rangpur divisional ICT 4E Ambassador Teachers Forum organized the event with the support of Primary Education, Secondary and Higher Education, Rangpur region and Aspire to Innovate Programme - ICT Division.

Experts, scholars, researchers, curriculum experts, education officials under the Ministry of Education attended the programme.

Around 300 primary, secondary, madrassah and higher secondary level teachers, who are ICT district ambassadors from different educational institutes under eight districts of the division joined the event.

Joint project director [ Joint secretary], Aspire to Innovate [ a2I] under Information and Communication Technology [ICT] division, Mollah Mizanur Rahman attended as chief guest while Project director, Dekkha Project, Mohammad Kabir Hossain graced the event as guest of honor while with Principal, Police Lines School & College, Rangpur, Professor Dr Jalaluddin Akbor in the chair.

The chief guest said the new curriculum for the primary, secondary and higher education levels has been introduced in diversified way that the students can acquire knowledge, information and global skills. The young learners of today have to take the lead to build the ecosystem of Smart Bangladesh.

Effective implementation of the curriculum will help to build- up "Smart Bangladesh by 2041’’ envisaged by the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hence, Teachers have a great role in this regard as they are the change makers. Teachers can shape the culture, improve students’ learning and influence sustainable practice among the learners.

Continuous professional development is much needed for the teachers to remain updated with knowledge, skill and advanced ICT technology. Teachers need to be self-driven, proficient in technology and skill -based teaching - learning to offer world class education for the young learners to develop them as smart citizens of the country.

He urged the teachers to be sincere and dedicated to their profession to develop skills and capacity among the learners based on the curriculum in order to cope with the global economy and future challenges of the world.

The guest of honour said the current priority of the government is to deliver a high-quality education for students and enable them to acquire knowledge and skills with a global perspective. The country has redesigned the school curriculum giving top priority on advanced science and technology and skill-based education.The new textbooks aim to equip students with real-world skills.

He emphasized on proper leadership in the educational institutes imparting global skills including the moral values aligned to the curriculum among the learners to make them enlightened and smart citizens of the country.

Around five lakh teachers registered in the largest online platform Teachers Portal of the Access to Innovate. Of them, around 2600 are recognised as ICT Ambassadors.

Director, Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Rangpur, Professor S.M Abdul Matin Laskor, Principal Government Teachers Training College, Rangpur, Additional Deputy Commissioner[ Education & ICT] Rangpur, Md Abdul Mannan, Deputy Director, Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Rangpur, Md Shafiqul Islam, Associate Professor, Government Teachers’ Training College, Rangpur, Md Jahangir Hasan, Education Expert a2i Programme, ICT Division,Md Sazzad Hossain Khan, District Education Officer, Rangpur, Md Enayet Hossain, District Primary Education Officer, Md Shahidul Islam and Programme and Partnership Coordinator[ Education] a2i Programme, ICT Division, Avijit Saha addressed the session among others as special guests.

Lalmonirhat Kaliganj Karimuddin Public Pilot High School head teacher Khurshiduzzaman Ahamed made the welcome address, while Zakir Hossain of Robertsonganj High School and College, Rangpur, gave the vote of thanks.

A documentary on the role and activities of teachers to ensure smart education in the classroom in Rangpur areas was shown.

Rangpur Police Lines School & College, assistant teacher, Abdul Mottalab , Adarsha High School , assistant teacher, Al Harun Bappi and Rangpur Zilla School assistant teacher Nasrin Nishat moderated the session.

Some 255 teachers were awarded with crests and certificates for their outstanding role and activities to impart smart education aligning to the new curriculum in and around the classrooms.

The event was also followed by a cultural function.