Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday formally inaugurated an e-learning programme in 12 schools across the three hill districts of Chattogram, with plans to expand it to 149 primary and secondary schools in phases.
He launched the programme virtually from state guest house Jamuna and interacted with teachers and students of three primary and nine secondary schools, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said.
The e-learning initiative will be implemented initially at four schools in Rangamati, four in Khagrachhari and four in Bandarban. Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma, SDG Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, and the ministry secretary Mohammed Mizanur Rahman were present.
Addressing students, Yunus acknowledged that internet access had long bypassed the hill areas and apologised for the delay, saying the initiative should have started on a much larger scale.
He said digital connectivity would reduce dependence on local teacher availability by enabling remote learning from anywhere in the world, while also improving access to healthcare through online consultations.
“There is no reason for you to remain deprived. You will enjoy equal opportunities like all other citizens,” he said, adding that ensuring such access was the government’s responsibility.
Addressing the students of the schools on the occasion, Prof Yunus said , “The internet has reached the whole world, but it did not reach your areas. The government is responsible for this not happening for so long. We apologise”.
“Today we started with only 12 schools, whereas it should have started in 3,500 schools. We have to reach that goal very quickly,” he added.
“You live in such beautiful places-how many places in the world are this beautiful? Yet good teachers do not want to go there because they get cut off from communication,” the Chief Adviser said, adding, the beauty of the internet is that “you will no longer have to depend on just one teacher”.
“A teacher can teach you from anywhere in the world. You will be able to study with the teacher of your choice. In case of lack of teachers, the quality of your education will not decline,” he said.
Later, he exchanged views virtually with teachers and students, who expressed gratitude for the initiative.
Supradip Chakma said the programme marked a new horizon for education in the hill tracts and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to connect the region more closely with the rest of Bangladesh and the world.
