Education Adviser Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar has emphasized the need for discussions on how the state can restructure madrasa education to align with students’ needs, as well as the role of civil society in this process.
He made these remarks on Wednesday at a seminar titled "The Past, Present, and Future Directions of Madrasa Education in Bangladesh", held at the International Mother Language Institute.
The education adviser called for the establishment of a fair, science-based, and technology-driven education system.
He said: "Bangladesh has a three-tier education system, with madrasa education being one of the major branches. Around 3 to 4 million students and 200,000 teachers are involved in madrasa education. Madrasa teachers bear the responsibility of nurturing students from underprivileged and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
"It is essential to fulfill this duty properly, utilizing intellect, skills, time, and opportunities to prepare these students for the workforce," he added.
He further emphasized the need to define the responsibilities of students, teachers, and administrators to effectively empower underprivileged madrasa students.
He also highlighted the historical contributions of madrasa students, from the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857 to every democratic movement, including the mass uprising of 2024.
