The Primary and Non-Formal Education Reform Advisory Committee has submitted its report to Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, outlining key recommendations for inclusive education and sectoral reforms.
Committee Convener Dr. Manjur Ahmed formally handed over the report to the Chief Adviser. The submission took place in the presence of Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, who attended as the chief guest.
Addressing a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy, Dr. Manjur Ahmed stated that the committee has made over a hundred key and supplementary recommendations across eight critical areas. The proposals include immediate, medium-term, and long-term action plans based on stakeholder consultations.
A key focus of the report is ensuring basic literacy and numeracy skills for children to strengthen primary education. The committee also emphasized converting all schools into single-shift institutions as soon as possible and maintaining a teacher-student ratio of 1:30 to enhance learning outcomes.
Additionally, the report suggests appointing locally recruited para-teachers (educational assistants) to support struggling students, introducing mid-day meals, and distributing essential school supplies such as notebooks, pens, and bags, along with financial aid for children from extremely poor families.
The committee further recommended developing an effective model to support out-of-school and dropout children, increasing educational opportunities for disadvantaged laborers’ children, and ensuring better inclusion of children with disabilities and special needs. Measures for gender equity in education were also highlighted.
Dr. Manjur Ahmed urged the government to take prompt action on the proposed reforms and implement a structured, time-bound plan for their execution.
The government formed the seven-member advisory committee in September last year, with Dr. Manjur Ahmed, an emeritus professor of BRAC University, serving as its head.
