Job-oriented education system necessary: Palak 

State Minister for Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Thursday said a job-oriented education system is needed for keeping the opportunities and demand of the future job sector. 

"To increase skill and capacity of girls and young women in the sector of information, communication and technology (ICT) it is crucial to incorporate subjects like science, technology, engineering, mathematics etc in the national curriculum of primary education as well as ensure a job-oriented education system keeping the opportunities and demand of future job sector," he said. 

He was addressing as the chief guest the virtual round table discussion on 'Accelerating Digital Inclusion for Girls and Women' jointly arranged by Aspire to Innovate (a2i), Grameenphone and Plan International Bangladesh marking International Girls in ICT Day. 

Every year on 4th Thursday of April, the International Girls in ICT Day is observed globally with an aim to inspire girls in technology to promote opportunities for girls and women in this field, said a press release. 

The state minister further said the need for learning programming and coding is increasing. 

"ICT needs to be given focus in primary education to make girls and young women successful in this sector. The Government has taken an initiative to incorporate programming and coding as subjects in primary education from the next education year," he added. 

Youth Representatives Tusabber Muntaha and Assaduzzaman Asad, Startup Bangladesh CEO and Managing Director Tina F Jabeen, BASIS President Syed Almas Kabir, President, BACCO President Wahid Sharif and BRAC Senior Director KAM Morshed, took part as panellists in the discussion moderated by Dhaka University  Robotics & Mechatronics Engineering Prof Dr Lafifa Jamal. 

Grameenphone Chief Human Resource Officer Syed Tanvir Husain and Plan International Bangladesh Country Director Orla Murphy spoke as special guests. 

The discussants expressed their will to work together to make sure more participation of girls and young women in ICT and explore the potentials through providing financial and technical support. 

They urged to ensure a safe work environment as well as breaking social stereotypes in this regard.