Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday announced that the BNP-led government would extend free education for girls up to the undergraduate level and introduce scholarships for meritorious female students.
Speaking at the inauguration of the “Khod Khal” canal re-excavation project at Waruk Bazar in Tamta South Union of Shahrasti upazila in Chandpur, he said the initiative would build on education and social welfare programmes introduced by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
“We will further expand the programmes introduced by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. We will extend the existing free education for girls from the intermediate level to the degree or undergraduate level. In addition, female students who achieve outstanding academic results will receive government scholarships,” Tarique Rahman said.
Highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment, the BNP leader said women constitute half of the country’s population and that Bangladesh cannot achieve its desired progress unless women are educated, economically independent and self-reliant.
“If we want to build the Bangladesh we envision, we must ensure that women are educated and economically empowered. Otherwise, it will not be possible to move the country forward,” he said.
Emphasising the need for technical education to address unemployment, Tarique Rahman said the party aimed to equip young people with technical skills so they could secure jobs, establish businesses and access better employment opportunities abroad.
“Currently, many workers go abroad as unskilled labourers. We want to transform them into skilled workers so they can earn higher incomes overseas and send more foreign currency back to the country,” he added.
Responding to a demand raised by the local lawmaker during the programme, he also directed the education minister to expedite the process of establishing a technical college in the area.
“The education minister is also a son of Chandpur. In front of all of you, I am asking him to take the necessary steps as quickly as possible regarding the technical college,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Tarique Rahman said the country’s 200 million people collectively possess “400 million hands” and that, through unity and hard work, Bangladesh could emerge as a dignified nation on the global stage.
“The source of BNP’s strength is the people of Bangladesh. Those of us who follow the ideals of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and the leadership of Khaleda Zia believe that the people are the ultimate source of all political power,” he said.