State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak has said that programming and coding will be incorporated in the primary education curriculum, to create interest in robotics, artificial intelligence and technology among teachers, students and parents.
Addressing a virtual discussion marking the International Girls in ICT Day on Thursday, he said that the government would implement the plan from the next academic year, with the purpose of increasing the participation of girls in the ICT sector.
The “International Girls in ICT Day” is celebrated in more than 170 countries to inspire girls in technology, and to promote opportunities for girls and women in this field.
Aspire to Innovate (a2i), Grameenphone and Plan International Bangladesh jointly organised the discussion on “Accelerating Digital Inclusion for Girls and Women”.
Recalling the changes brought to the ICT sector in the past 12 years, the junior minister said: “We’re working on women's participation in particular. Efforts are being made to bring the physically-challenged women to the ICT sector, by providing computer training and free laptops.”
He added that female students needed technological knowledge from an early age for progress.
“He [prime minister’s ICT Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy] has promised that programming and coding can be added [to the primary curriculum] in the next academic year,” Palak said.
The government, he said, was planning to add robotics to the secondary education curriculum so that the students, upon their graduation, can develop skills for the ever-challenging job sector.
“In order to help grow interest and confidence among the female students, we are conducting programming competition for the girls,” he said.
Moderated by Dhaka University Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering Professor Lafifa Jamal, the programme was also addressed, among others, by Grameenphone Chief Human Resource Officer Syed Tanvir Husain, Startup Bangladesh CEO Tina F Jabeen, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services President Syed Almas Kabir, Plan International Bangladesh Country Director Orla Murphy and Brac Senior Director KAM Morshed.