Dipu Moni: Adapt to survive 4th Industrial Revolution

Adaptability, transferable skills, and entrepreneurship, are crucial to surviving the Fourth Industrial Revolution, says Education Minister Dipu Moni.

“Not everyone is guaranteed to have a job. People need to adapt to the situation, learn transferable skills and entrepreneurship, so they can create their own jobs,” she added.

The education minister made the remarks in addressing a virtual meeting on technical education and madrasa education, and how to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), organized by Education Reporters Association of Bangladesh (ERAB) on Monday.

Many people who have graduated from technical institutions are now employed, while those with general education backgrounds are finding it difficult to find work, even if they have certificates, Dipu Moni said.

“The government has taken various initiatives, including improving technical and madrasa education. We are trying to move forward as per the ideals of the Father of the Nation and his plans for education, which included offering opportunities for the study of various subjects,” she added.

Enrollment at technical institutions has risen to 70%, where it used to be 1%, according to the education minister.

Initiatives to improve madrasa education include the appointment of trained teachers and installation of fully equipped laboratory facilities, as well as other equipment.

“Currently, we are trying to create online education facilities, so that anyone can learn professional skills online, regardless of what course of study they completed in the past,” the minister said.

She also said madrasas and other educational institutions need approval from the authorities before they can be established.

“The ministry is going to make it mandatory to include a technical course in general and madrasa education. The ministry was going to implement the measure next year, but it will be added in 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

The ministry will take all recommendations from the madrasa board into consideration under government policy, said the minister.