Govt to give tablets to 116,000 SSC GPA-5 achievers: Minister

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon has announced that 116,000 students, who secured GPA-5 in this year’s SSC examinations, will receive tablets as an incentive to encourage them in their studies.

He said the prime minister will award the GPA-5 achievers and present the tablets to them as a gift in recognition of their outstanding results.

The minister made the remarks, as the chief guest, at a University Day event marking the 23rd anniversary of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (Kuet) today.

Highlighting the need to involve students in technology-based, modern education, the minister said the initiative to give tablets to GPA-5 achievers was taken to encourage meritorious students and connect them with technological opportunities. 

He expressed hope that the proper use of technology would further expand students’ opportunities for acquiring knowledge and conducting research.

He also said that alongside establishing new universities according to the country’s needs, initiatives are being taken to expand existing universities.

Speaking on expanding higher education opportunities in the country, Ehsanul Haque Milon said the government is working to establish cross-border universities. Along with setting up new universities as needed, existing universities will also be expanded.

He noted that in 2003, during the BNP government, a historic announcement was made to convert the country’s four BITs (Bangladesh Institutes of Technology) into universities. Kuet’s journey began as part of that continuity.

Emphasising the importance of improving universities’ international standing, the minister said that achieving a good position in world rankings will require universities to further strengthen their research and alumni activities. Bangladesh is not lagging behind in global competition due to a lack of talent, he said, but rather due to insufficient effort and improper application of systems.

Addressing students, he said that in order to contribute to themselves, their parents, the country, and the nation as a whole, they must study seriously. At the same time, they must focus on research to develop themselves into skilled and competent individuals.

The minister further said that the Creator made the people of Bangladesh from the same elements as people in Europe and America. Therefore, people should use their own capabilities to study more and acquire knowledge through research.

Ehsanul Haque Milon said there are delays in teacher recruitment at the Ministry of Education, caused by internal complexities. This is among the issues on today’s agenda, which is extensive and requires more discussions.

He added that discussions are ongoing regarding budget allocation for the recruitment of nearly 77,000 teachers, conducting their examinations, and how to manage the overall process.

Speaking as special guest, Chief Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul said the government is working to build a timely, modern, and employment-oriented education system, adding that it expects students to acquire knowledge through study and research and dedicate themselves to serving the country and the nation. Noting that this is the age of AI, he said students need to develop their skills in step with technology, embracing the changing times and moving forward in coordination with technological advancement.

Presided over by Kuet Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Masud, the event was addressed, among others, by Professor Dr. Muhammad Shahjahan Ali, director of the university’s Institute of Disaster Management, and Professor Dr. Md. Hasan Ali, director of the Students’ Welfare Council. Officials from various government departments, university teachers and students, elected representatives, and journalists were present at the event. Earlier, the minister took part in a rally and a tree-plantation program.