Government can’t afford fulfill demand without plan: Prime Minister
Staff Reporter:>>>
Pointing out the street agitation of a particular section of the teachers to press home their various demands, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the government cannot afford to fulfill many demands without plan and budgetary allocation.
“We are trying to help every people either in the public or private sector and the government is careful so that none is deprived. But, a government cannot fulfill every demand as it works with a limited budgetary allocation.
Everybody should keep in mind about it,” she said, reports BSS.
The prime minister was addressing “Shikka Samabesh” (Education Rally) organized by the National University (NU) at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the capital on Sunday.
Sheikh Hasina said, her government has a plan which school or college should be nationalized under a policy. Nationalization of the educational institution is not possible as claimed or wish of any particular section of people.
She said her government has given priority to the education sector as it wants to develop the nation. So everybody has to perform sincerely and keep their trust in Awami League as the party never deprived anybody and it will not do this in future.
The prime minister said none should think that we will fulfill their every demand in the last year of our tenure in power. It’s not the matter of remain in power or not. It’s not our policy.” she said.
“We do work for peoples’ prosperity as my father has liberated the country and he had cherished the dream of making a hunger and poverty free Bangladesh,” she added.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Education Ministry Sohrab Hossein attended the function as special guests. Vice Chancellor of the NU Prof. Harun-ar-Rashid gave welcome address.
The prime minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 11 educational and infrastructural projects of the NU. She also distributed crest and prize money among the best seven colleges in performance ranking of the university.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is trying heart and soul to give highest support to the teachers. After coming to power in 1996 her government had taken many steps for welfare of the teachers prior to placing their demand, she said.
The prime minister said the teachers are engaged in a great job and the future of the nation lies on their hands. So every teacher never should consider what they gained, but remember what they have done for the nation and what kind of worthy citizen they have created to take forward the country.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is trying best constantly for development of the education. And her government has attached highest importance as it is the best investment to create future leaders of the nation.
Criticizing BNP for pushing back the country in many sectors including the education during their regime, the prime minister said every government comes to power to take the country forward. But, the nation had experiences of pushing back in every arena during BNP-Jamaat government.
Sheikh Hasina said the ongoing development of the country in every socio- economic sector is continuing as the Awami League could come to power in 2014. But the government had to overcome many hurdles to come to power, she said.
Highlighting the steps taken by her government for curriculum development and ensure access to education by the children of poor and underprivileged families, the prime minister said the government is trying to make the vocational education system a modern one aimed at creating skill manpower.
She said textbooks are being distributed among school students to lessen the burden of the students, many financial support including the Prime Minister’s Trust Fund has been established to give scholarships to students along with setting up multimedia class room in schools.
In this regard the prime minister mentioned her family initiative to make a trust fund after the name of the Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and donate their paternal to the trust, dedicated for education of many poor children.
Steps were taken for the tribal children to take their elementary education in their mother languages and the government has successfully modernized the madrasa education curriculum to give them vocational education with religious education as well, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is working for modernization of the science and technological education.
The prime minister praised the recent progress of the National University in its curriculum and automation of its administrative work saying a project is being implemented with the support of the World Bank for development of the colleges which teach honours and master degree courses.
