University students have urged the government to give the highest priority to primary education in the allocation for the education sector in the upcoming national budget.
In addition to primary schooling, they recommended special allocations for technical and vocational education, research and innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.
The demands were raised during a press conference held by the organisation “Shikkha Odhikar Sangsad” at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Friday.
The organisation, which conducts various research and survey activities to improve the education system, is supervised by current and former students of the Education and Research faculties of different universities across the country.
A survey conducted regarding this year’s education budget featured participation from 350 students representing 26 universities, four degree-level madrasas, and the National University. According to the findings, more than 62 per cent of the students believe that the allocation for the education sector should exceed 5 per cent of the national budget.
Approximately 56 per cent of the respondents stated that primary education should receive the highest share of the education budget.
To facilitate fundamental reforms in the education system and enhance the quality of education in rural areas, the students recommended the recruitment and training of skilled teachers and the assurance of honourable salaries and allowances.
The students also identified corruption, waste, lack of proper planning, administrative complexities, and political influence as the primary barriers to the effective implementation of the education budget.
The survey results and recommendations were presented by Md Shahnewaz Khan Chandan, member secretary of “Shikkha Odhikar Sangsad” and assistant professor at the Institute of Education and Research, Jagannath University. Other members of the organisation present at the event included Abu Sadat Md Mostanshir Billah, Misbahur Rahman Asim, Mahfuzur Rahman Manik, and Mazharul Islam.
