At least one vocational course would be incorporated in the school curriculum from class six in a bid to help the next generation find their self-employment, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She said: “The government has also taken decision to set up a technical school in each upazila to expand the vocational education in the country.
The Premier made the announcement while inaugurating the 20th National Conference and 38th Council of the Institution of Diploma Engineers of Bangladesh (IDEB) at IDEB building in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.
Mentioning that the country is progressing fast, Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken initiative to fulfill the basic needs of the people.
She further said adding "it is possible to develop the country if a government work sincerely with right planning."
The PM said Bangabandhu while he was the minister for industries and commerce in 1954, had planned for constructing two polytechnic institutes. At his initiative, Dhaka Polytechnic Institute was established at Tejgaon with admission of the country's first batch of diploma engineers in 1955.
She said the Awami League and Bangabandhu had a very close relation with the diploma engineers. The relation is still continuing, she said extending her thanks to IDEB leaders for giving her honourary membership of the institute.
Pointing out the steps taken by the government for development of skilled manpower, the PM said the Awami League government for the first time has introduced SSC vocational course in about 1800 non-government schools and four-year diploma engineering course in the polytechnic colleges to create mid-level skilled engineers.
She said: “Second shifts were introduced in 51 polytechnic institutes apart from taking decision to construct 25 polytechnic institutes including three for women. The government has undertaken plan to build a technical school in every upazila to expand vocational education."
Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken initiative to create entrepreneurs from diploma engineers by giving soft loan through Bangladesh Bank. Under the programme, she said, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) is providing entrepreneurship training to five hundred diploma engineers.
About the theme of the council "Skill-based education for life, livelihood and prosperity", Sheikh Hasina said the theme was perfect and time-befitting as we have to give focus on education for improving skill of a person than giving only general education.
IEDB president handed over six research papers conducted by the IDEB study and research cell. On the occasion, the Prime Minister handed over 'IDEB Sanmanana Padak' to five diploma engineers for their outstanding contribution to the society.
The Prime Minister thanked the IDEB for giving some recommendations to the government by its study and research cell to save power and generate renewable energy, improvement of railway system, resolve housing problem, combat grafts and control population saying the government would consider those recommendations with importance.
Praising the initiative of IDEB for establishment of an electro medical lab in the IEDB building, the Prime Minister assured them of providing support from the government to establish an electrical, electronics and IT lab and a civil engineering lab in the IDEB building. She also assured them that she would try her best to allocate necessary land for establishing an energy park and entrepreneurs training institute.
The Prime Minister assured the IDEB leaders to look into the matter of their demand to resolve salary disparity, saying the inter-ministerial recommendation about the issue would be sent to the pay-commission.