In line with the present government’s vision to build `Digital Bangladesh’ by 2021, ICT facilities will be expanded to all 4,484 unions in the country by this year to reach such facilities to the doorsteps of the rural people.
“Against the backdrop of tremendous success in 102 unions, the information and communication technology (ICT) facilities will be expanded to all 4,484 unions by December this year to build Digital Bangladesh, envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” a review meeting on the activities of Digital Bangladesh.
The meeting arranged by the UNDP-funded Access to Information (A2I) Programme under the Prime Minister’s Office also took a decision to bring all government offices at the upazila level under computer and internet network.
Besides, decisions were undertaken to arrange `digital innovative fair’ in all divisional cities in the country from October to December and to introduce unicode Bangla typing in all ministries.
Adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam was the chief guest at the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office.
With Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office M Abdul Karim in the chair, the function was addressed by Cabinet Secretary M Abdul Aziz as the special guest.
National Project Director of A2I Programme Mohammad Nazrul Islam Khan gave answers to various questions as the coordinator of the function, while secretaries of all ministries and `e- governance focal points’ were present.
Speaking on the occasion, HT Imam called upon the government officials to work hard for raising literacy rate to implement Digital Bangladesh envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Without increasing the country’s literacy rate, implementation of Digital Bangladesh will not be possible as both are related with each other,” he said.
HT Imam urged the secretaries to work with a service- oriented mindset and undertake programmes to reach the digital services to the doorsteps of the people speedily and at a low cost.
The PM’s adviser also asked the government officials to take the next steps after evaluating the progress of the earlier programmes.
The meeting reviewed the progress of 53 `quick-win initiatives’ innovated by the 53 ministries and government departments to reach digital services to the doorsteps of the people. Besides, 39 `quick-win initiatives’ were identified.
At the meeting, all ministries and government departments were reminded to present these new innovations to the divisional innovative fairs as the digital services. It also discussed in detail the issues of cyber safety and ICT Polic

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A workshop on quality enhancement in higher education was held today at the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) with participation of vice chancellors, deans and senior professors of different universities.
Professor Nazrul Islam, Chairman of the UGC was present at the workshop as the chief guest while it was chaired by Professor Dr. Atful Hye Shibly, member of the UGC. The workshop was also addressed by Professor Dr Md. Tajul Islam member and Ruknud Deen Ahmed.
Among others, the workshop was attended by Prof Dr. M. Abdus Sobhan, Vice chancellor of Rajshahi University, Prof Dr Md. Saifuddin Shah, Vice chancellor of Khulna University, Prof. Dr Shah-E-Alam, Vice chancellor of Sher- E-Bangla Agriculture University, Prof. Dr Mozaffar Hussain, Vice chancellor of Pabna University, Prof. Dr Nitesh Chandra Debnath, Vice Chancellor of Chittagong Veterinary & Animal Science university, Prof. Dr M Afzal Hossain, Vice chancellor of Haji Danesh Science & Technology University, Prof. Dr Sanjoy Kumar Adhikary, Vice chancellor of Noakhali Science & Technology University, Prof. Dr Syed Giasuddin Ahmed, Vice chancellor of Jatiyo Kabi Kazi Nazrul University, Prof. Dr Syed Sakhawat Hussain, Vice chancellor of Patuakhali Scicence & Technology University, Prof. Dr Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, Vice chancellor of Gono University, Prof. Dr MA Jalil Miah, Vice chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Prof. Dr Amir Hossain Khan, Vice chancellor of Comilla university.
The UGC chairman in his speech said the pragmatic role of the universities is to meet the challenges in enhancing the quality of higher education.
Mentioning the higher education quality enhancement project (HEQEP) as the first ever highest allocated project, he said, transparency and accountability will be ensured at sub-project selection, evaluation and implementation level.
Mentionable that the HEQEP is a project with an allocation of Taka 681 crore and being implementing by the UGC with the support of the World Bank for a period from 2009 to 2013.
About :
To face the challenges of globalization raising the quality of our higher education to world standard is very important. Bangladesh government has, therefore, taken initiatives to develop the quality of tertiary education. Government plans to build up our university graduates in a manner so that they can compete successfully in the context of international knowledge society.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education, with the assistance of the World Bank, has undertaken a Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP). The objectives of the project is to improve the quality of teaching-learning and research capabilities of the tertiary education institutions of the country through encouraging both innovation and accountability and by enhancing the technical and institutional capacity of the higher education sector.

The University Grants Commission of Bangladesh is the implementing agency of the project. A HEQEP Unit has been established in UGC to arrange implementation, management and monitoring and evaluation of the activities.

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The International Labor Organization says progress toward eliminating the worst forms of child labor is slowing down. To mark the World Day Against Child Labor, the ILO is urging countries to do more to end this abhorrent practice.
An estimated 158 million children aged 5-14 are engaged in child labour – one in six children in the world. Millions of children are engaged in hazardous situations or conditions, such as working in mines, working with chemicals and pesticides in agriculture or working with dangerous machinery. They are everywhere but invisible, toiling as domestic servants in homes, labouring behind the walls of workshops, hidden from view in plantations.
This year’s World Day Against Child Labor coincides with the World Cup in South Africa. But, for millions of children the beautiful game is just a distant dream.

Bangladesh is observing the 9th World Day Against Child Labour on Saturday through an elaborate programme.

This year’s slogan for the day is ‘Prevent Risky Child Labour, Ensure Child Education’.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, on the eve of the day, asked the government institutions, national and international development organisations, labour and owners’ organisations, and the people of the country to be sympathetic to working children.

The government is observing the day through joint initiatives of women and children affairs ministry, primary and mass education ministry, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the UNICEF, led by the labour and employment ministry.

In a message on the occasion, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday asked all government institutions, national and international development organisations, labour and owners’ organisations, and people of the country to be sympathetic towards working children.

Joint secretary of the labour and employment ministry Arun Kanti Aich told a press conference on Friday that the main objective of the government is to stop risky child labour by the year 2016.

According to the national child labour survey of 2003, conducted by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the total number of children engaged in work in Bangladesh is around 7.4 million.

Among them, some 3.2 million are child labourers, of whom more than 1.3 million are engaged in risky jobs.

The survey was conducted to identify the number of child labourer and the fields of their engagement and the working environment.

Child Labour

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Bangladesh Goverment conciously welcome the support on education sector . UNICEF will provide allout cooperation for the development of children and further raising literacy rate in Bangladesh.

The assurance came when UNICEF Country Representatives Carel De Rooy paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office here this morning.

During the meeting, the UNICEF Representative highly appreciated the present government’s rural development and social safety net programmes to address the issue of extreme poverty in the country.

He also lauded the government’s sincere commitment and efforts for the development of children as well as raising the country’s literacy rate.

In reply, the Prime Minister said her government attaches importance to expansion of education as it is the main tool of poverty alleviation.

She said her previous government from 1996-2001 raised the country’s literacy rate to 65 percent from 45 percent in five years and set a target to achieve cent percent literacy rate by 2006.

But due to the negligence of the successive government this rate dropped after 2001, she added.

Sheikh Hasina said after assuming office this time her government again expedited its sincere efforts to further increase the literacy rate of the country.

The Prime Minister said the present government distributed 19 crore text books among the students up to secondary level free of cost this year and will distribute 23 crore books in future for ensuring education for all.

Listing various efforts for socio economic development of the people, Sheikh Hasina said the number of beneficiaries and amount of money have been increased on old age pension, widow allowance and freedom fighter allowance schemes.

Regarding child and maternal mortality rate, she said steps have already been taken to bring down the rate to a significant level.

Laying emphasis on an uninterrupted democracy for the overall development of a country, Sheikh Hasina said no country can achieve desired development without democracy.

In this context, she referred to her government’s programmes for strengthening democracy. “Due to the absence of democracy in Bangladesh various pro-people development initiatives could not be implemented,” she added.

The Prime Minister said her government is working relentlessly for establishing peace in Bangladesh as well as in South Asian region.

Apart from this, she said her government has also set up employment bank for generation of employment opportunities for the country’s millions of young people so that they could contribute to the economic activities of the country.

Ambassador At-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim, Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Mollah Waheeduzzaman, Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and PS to Prime Minister Nazrul Islam Khan were present on the occas

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Digitalised Bangladesh is now a days is common dream of Bangladeshi. No political question!

If we simplify what is digital Bangladesh ? I answer : A well managed Bangladesh.
To manage well ,we always need to clear about our resources .From my best knowledge i demand a High Powerful Bangladesh Resources Research Centre (BRRC)
To explore the opportunity of the ultimate resources of Bangladesh which grow the potential Bangladesh as a Sucessful contry Bangladesh must should develop a high oppotunity powered Research centre for exploring the resources of Bangladesh , natural resources or human resources or opportunity resources . The Research centre can be co up with the Ministry of planning .

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The standard of education aling with the National dignity and strength .So to enrich the education position of Bangladeshi The government yesterday approved the National Education Policy, 2010 introducing several compulsory subjects to primary and secondary levels of general, madrasa and vocational education in order to establish a unified schooling system.

The government is yet to confirm whether English medium institutions of Bangladesh would be under this policy.

The policy expands free education up to class-VIII from the previous class-V in phases at government and government-funded institutions.

Compulsory primary education was also extended up to class-VIII from class-V and secondary education to class-XII.

The policy seeks to bring all students of the country, irrespective of their religions, genders, physical limitations, socio-economic and geographic locations under one system.

Education would be relevant to the country and it would be consistent with the spirit of the Liberation War, a synopsis of the policy given to the media reads.

The synopsis says a one-year pre-primary education for children over five years old would be introduced.

The policy is non-communal but there will be compulsory subjects on religion and ethics for students up to class-VIII. The policy dropped the word “secular” from its draft to make it acceptable to all segments of the society.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Bangladesh Studies have been introduced to primary and secondary levels.

At the higher-level studies, duration of all degree courses has been made four years instead of the previous three years.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the new policy.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid told the press following the cabinet meeting that a public examination like the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination would still be held for students of class-X.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad while briefing newsmen after the cabinet meeting said, “A committee would be formed soon to implement the education policy.” He, however, did not specify when the implementation would start.

Two cabinet ministers told The Daily Star after the meeting that the prime minister told her colleagues yesterday that problems or questions regarding implementation of the policy would be solved case by case whenever they arise.

The cabinet applauded prime minister for formulating the unified education policy. The premier said the education policy would help build a modern Bangladesh and make Bangladesh’s education system international standard.

People will be enlightened with education on science, ICT and ethics and at the same time teachers will get more benefits, Azad quoted her as saying.

Since the independence of the country, eight education commissions and committees were formed but their recommendations were not implemented due to lack of political will to do so, sources said.

On April 6 last year, the Awami League-led government formed a 16-member committee to review the reports of Shamsul Haque’s education committee of 1997 and Qudrat-e-Khuda’s education commission of 1974.

Led by National Professor Kabir Chowdhury, the committee submitted the draft policy to the education ministry on September 2 last year.

The ministry put the draft policy on its website for public opinion. It analysed and reviewed all opinions on the policy.

However, the draft policy sparked protest from some religion-based political parties and organisations.

The education ministry then reviewed and brought some changes to the policy but kept intact its basic features, ministry officials said.

The policy synopsis says primary education will be free, for all and compulsory up to class-VIII and stipends would be given to students on the basis of results in class V. All students will have to study their own religion and ethics.

It said the secondary education level would be from class-IX to class-XII and a uniform curriculum and syllabus will be followed in general, madrasa and vocational levels.

The compulsory subjects are Bangla, English, Mathematics, Bangladesh Studies, Paribesh Parichiti (education on social environment and climatic change), Information Technology and Science.

On higher education, the policy advised turning all three-year graduation courses into four-year honours courses in phases. A student completing a four-year honours course will be entitled to all professions in his field.

The committee proposed decentralisation of the National University with centres in all divisions. These centres will later turn into universities and colleges in its jurisdiction will be affiliated to it.

The policy says technical education institutions would be established in every upazila and the number of educational institutions on polytechnic, textile and leather will be increased.

On madrasa education, it said the students of primary and secondary level must study uniform curriculum and syllabus.

Teachers will be given more facilities alongside more and modern training, the policy said. It said steps would be taken to frame an integrated education law and form a permanent education commission.

The education minister in his instant reaction said the dream that he had for 14 years has come true. He said education is dynamic and changes could be made to the policy if required in future.

He also said terminal examinations after class-V and class-VIII will still be held and stipends will be given based on their results. He said the policy would be made public through a gazette notification within a few days.

Asked whether children would be sitting for too many exams, the minister said they want to ward off exam fears from children.

Regarding implementation, he said they have already started implementation of the policy as the terminal exams for class-V have already been introduced.

Implementation of the policy is a lengthy process and the government still has three and half years, he said, adding that during that time it would be able to implement many things of the policy.

About Qwami madrasa, he said they have asked the people who run the madrasas to form a commission and determine what they want to introduce in their madrasas.

All educational institutions of the country have to register with the government to gain legality, sources said

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Why Bangladesh ? ? ?
Bangladesh is a winning combination with its competitive market, business-friendly environment and cost structure that can give you the best returns.

Industrious low-cost workforce
Bangladesh offers a well-educated, highly adaptive and industrious workforce with the lowest wages and salaries in the region. 57.3% of the population is under 25, providing a youthful group for recruitment. The country has consistently developed a skilled workforce catering to investors needs. English is widely spoken, making communication easy.

Strategic location, regional connectivity and worldwide access
Bangladesh is strategically located next to India, China and ASEAN markets. As the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) comes into force, investors in Bangladesh will enjoy duty-free access to India and other member countries.

Strong local market and growth
Bangladesh has proved to be an attractive investment location with its 144 million population and consistent economic growth leading to strong and growing domestic demand.

Low cost of energy
Energy prices in Bangladesh are the most competitive in the region. Transportation on green compressed natural gas is less than 20% of the diesel price.

Proven export competitiveness
Bangladesh enjoys tariff-free access to the European Union, Canada, Australia and Japan. In Europe, Bangladesh enjoys 60% of the market share and is the top manufacturing exporter amongst 50 least developed countries.

Competitive incentives
Bangladesh offers the most liberal FDI regime in South Asia, allowing 100% foreign equity with unrestricted exit policy, easy remittance of royalty and repatriation of profits and incomes.

Export processing zones
Bangladesh offers export-oriented industrial enclaves with infrastructural facilities and logistical support for foreign investors. The country is also developing its core infrastructures, including roads, highways, surface transport and port facilities for a better business environment.

Positive climate
A largely homogeneous society with people living in harmony irrespective of race and religion, Bangladesh is a democratic country enjoying broad bi-partisan political support for private investment. The legal and policy framework for business is conducive to foreign investment.

In today’s age of globalisation and inter-regional collaboration, the world has become a global village. Trade liberalisation, flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) and development of capital markets — the widely acknowledged ??three pillars of globalisation?? — have brought economic prosperity to many nations.FDI inflow, which reached $1 billion for the first time in 2008, increasing market capitalisation in the bourses, and a respectable GDP growth helped Bangladesh rank among the top three South Asian countries.

Of late Bangladesh received Standard & Poor’s ??BB-?? long-term and ??B?? short-term sovereign credit ratings for both foreign and local currency. Bangladesh has come a long way from its earlier ??unknown risk?? phase to a ??stable outlook?? which, according to S&P, reflects ??expectations that a prudent macroeconomic policy-setting will prevail and microeconomic reforms to gradually address growth constraints will continue??. Moody’s also certified Bangladesh’s strong fundamentals.

Further, Bangladesh’s regulatory regime vehemently supports private sector investment with incentives of 100 percent foreign ownership, repatriation of dividend and the foreign investment protection act itself. Companies such as Marico, an Indian corporate, have demonstrated the success potential in Bangladesh and have enabled other such investors to envision their participation in this market, in several promising sectors.

Power

With demand for power at around 5,600 MW against an average supply of 3,800 MW, there remains a consistent gap of 1,800MW. Only 35 percent of the population have access to electricity. Consequently opportunities abound.

Increasing the country’s power generation to 8,000 MW by 2015 with requirements of around $10 billion is the starting point. Coal-based small power plants, which would need around $2 billion from joint-venture partners and debt financing, should also be considered. Particularly, to reduce dependence on gas-based power generation in the backdrop of potential depletion of gas reserves by 2015, the coal-based plants present strong possibilities. LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminals should also be explored.

On the policy front, the government is progressing on a draft public private partnership (PPP) policy, which will replace the existing Bangladesh Private Sector Infrastructure Guidelines (BPSIG). The ??Bangladesh Public-Private Partnership Policy and Guidelines?? is expected to incorporate provisions for special fiscal incentives and hence, be more investment-friendly.

Telecom

Telecom is one of the fastest growing sectors with around 54 million subscribers (30 percent of the population) and six operators (mostly foreign-owned). Due to large investments by NTT DoCoMo and Bharti Telecom, the FDI inflow has grown at 50 percent. As the government is unlikely to issue more mobile licences, future investment will be in proliferation of data-based and value added services. Implementation of 3G (third generation) licences will also require significant investment.

Further opportunities lie in manufacturing of handsets by utilising relatively cheap labour of the country. With some differentiation in quality, design or price, Bangladesh-India joint ventures can compete in the inexpensive phone set market.

Health care

?The demand for health care services is rising rapidly because of increasing purchasing power of the growing middle- and upper-middle classes, increasing life expectancy, declining mortality and rising incidence of chronic and treatable diseases.

In response to these factors, private, premium-priced hospitals with international standard facilities, such as Apollo, United, Square, Popular, are now very popular. The registration of 200,000 patients with Apollo Hospitals Dhaka since 2005 is a testament to this popularity.

Further, considering that the Bangladeshis spend nearly $200 million abroad for treatment, there is enough space to grow. Foreign investors can also play a bigger role in improving the health care standards by setting up world-class nurses/technicians training institutes.

Education

Increasingly we see a large number of undergraduates and graduates aspiring towards higher education abroad. Local private universities have also grown rapidly in response to demand, despite the high premiums charged. Consequently, opportunities to establish campuses of renowned business schools, affiliations with private universities, especially reasonably priced secondary and higher secondary institutions, also abound.

Business Process Outsourcing

Outsourcing of services is increasingly popular as it allows organisations to focus on core competencies and capitalise on specialist knowledge in respective functions. While Bangladesh is still at the nascent phase, it must start pitching for Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO), primarily offshore outsourcing, now. Statistics shows that the global “addressable” BPO market is worth $122-$154 billion, of which $10 billion+ is travel/hospitality, $10 billion telecoms, and $20 billion+ is finance, accounting and human resource. This is a huge market to tap as only 8 percent of that capacity was utilised as of 2006.

Though Bangladesh is comparatively new to this field, there is a huge potential in call centres, data entry facilities, and such sectors that can be served with low to medium level of skilled resources. The pie is big and growing — it is up to us to partner with neighboring countries and investors and capture a slice.

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals have gradually evolved from an import-based industry to a self-manufacturing one exporting to 70 countries with a market size of over $750 million. Foreign investments — either in the form of joint ventures with Bangladeshi companies or other partnerships whereby research and development is run in laboratories in India with complementing manufacturing plants in Bangladesh — should be welcomed. These companies, such as Sun Pharmaceuticals of India, can utilise the competitively priced labour in Bangladesh and use cost advantages to capture the export market.

Since Bangladesh has received exemption from Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights till 2016, manufacturers’ ability to continue to produce pharmaceuticals products till the expiry of the exemption period increases the incentives greatly.

FMCG

?Some other areas of interest could be FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) segments given Bangladesh’s large population with progressive increase in purchasing capacity.

The present regime has identified PPP as one of the key focus areas and is committed to attracting foreign investors to thrust sectors. The government has resolved to ensure economic and political stability and foster transparency and availability of information. If we move forward to partner with the right organisation to invest in the right sector, only then it will result in mutual economic and commercial benefits. Most importantly, we have to move at the right time to tap the opportunities — I believe now is precisely the right time

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The results of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations,2010 was published here today. 79.98 percent students passed in the public exams.Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid announced the result at a press conference in the ministry.

?average pass 79.98 percent????

A total of 9,60,492 students passed in the exams out of 12,00,975 appeared. 82,961 students got GPA-5.

See result here
Bangladesh SSC results 2010

or find it to Ministry of Education’s (MoE) website

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka
Dhaka: http://dhaka.moedu.gov.bd/

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Comilla:
http://comilla.moedu.gov.bd/

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Rajshahi:
http://rajshahi.moedu.gov.bd/

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Jessore:
http://jessore.moedu.gov.bd/

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Chittagong:
Chittagong: http://chittagong.moedu.gov.bd/

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Barisal:
http://barisal.moedu.gov.bd/

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Sylhet:
http://sylhet.moedu.gov.bd/

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Madrasah:
http://madrasha.moedu.gov.bd/

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The 4th Chinese Education Exhibition opened here Thursday in Bangladesh’s North-South University with the purpose to attract more Bangladeshi students to study in China.
China ,from the long time …as a place of education.

The exhibition is organized by China Scholarship Council with the cooperation of Chinese embassy in Bangladesh and North-South University, the first private university in Bangladesh. 36 universities from China are participating in the exhibition.

Hong Tianqiu, acting head of the Chinese Education Exhibition delegation, said comparing with previous exhibitions, more universities attend the exhibition this year.

“The exhibition is providing a good opportunity for bringing Chinese universities to the world,” Hong said.

Industries Minister Dilip Barua on Thursday urged the Chinese universities and institutions to transfer their knowledge and expertise to help Bangladesh to build a knowledge based society.

Strong partnership in the area of education would also help strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, he said while inaugurating China Education Exhibition-2010 here.

North South University (NSU) and Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh jointly organized the daylong exhibition.

Terming China as one of the best friends and development partners, Dilip Barua said China could also provide support in economic, industrial, trade, agricultural, environmental and technological areas.

In this regard, the Industries Minister said, “Bangladesh supports ‘One China’ policy and considers Taiwan as an integral part of China.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Zhang Xianyi attended the function as special guest while Vice Chancellor of the NSU Dr Hafiz GA Siddiqui was in the chair.

Chairman of NSU Managing Committee MA Kashem, Vice President of Hefei University of Technology of China Hong Tianqi and Dr Khaliquzzaman Elias, also spoke on the occasion.

Appropriate knowledge in industrial policy and technology is required to build a digital Bangladesh by 2021 and make the country free from poverty, corruption and unemployment.

A told of 40 Chinese educational institutions took part in the exhibition offering many educational facilities for Bangladeshi students to pursue their studies in engineering, medical and other areas of science and technology.

More About
Admission

University admission is operated on a centralized enrolment system, in which admissions committees at the provincial level are under the Ministry of Education. Admission is granted on the basis of academic, physical and moral qualifications. Special allowances are made for minority nationality and overseas Chinese candidates

The nationwide examinations are held in the first ten days of July. Candidate can take the examination in either one of the two categories, humanities or sciences/engineering. They apply for the institutions and departments they wish to enter in order of preference. Enrolment is determined by the examination results. Brief investigation into their social behavior and moral character is conducted before students are admitted. In some faculties, specific physical requirements must be met.

Living Accommodation

China currently provides free university education. Students do not have to pay tuition fee and are provided with free on-campus dormitories. Grants or subsidies will be given to students whose families have financial difficulties. The dormitory, which forms an important part of university life, is run by the students themselves through the students’ union under the China Students’ Federation, to which all enrolled students belong.

The education system is under reform. The number of paid students increases dramatically in recent years. The trend may continue and the government may eventually adopt a pay system instead.

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Bangladesh determine to achive MDGs. Are developing countries on track to meet the 2015 deadline for implementing the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? To assess how much progress is being made in improving the lives of the most vulnerable children and women a research done.

Forty per cent of Bangladesh’s population of more than 150 million live on less than $1 a day – in many respects the country is a microcosm of the challenges the UN faces as it struggles to achieve the MDG targets.

Its population of children aged between five and 17 is estimated by the UN to be about 42 million.

The country is home to 14 UN agencies and most of the world’s leading aid organisations. As Bangladesh is a functioning democracy, those agencies can for the most part operate free of political interference.

‘Remarkable progress’

If the country is to meet the MDG targets, the UN says it faces a daunting financial challenge – a recent report estimates the cost to be in the region of $104.18bn between now and 2015.

There are 16.4 million Bangladeshi children aged between six and 10
The UN report said Bangladesh needed to spend $66 per head in 2005 rising to $102 per head in 2015.

The World Bank in Dhaka says that will be difficult to achieve and will require significant improvements in the country’s tax collection system.

But there is plenty of positive and negative data when assessing Bangladesh’s progress towards the MDGs.

On the positive side, it has achieved almost universal gender parity in primary education. The country’s primary education system is regarded as one of the best among developing countries in the world.

Similarly, the UN says that Bangladesh has made “remarkable progress” in reducing the under-five mortality rate over the last two decades.

The infant mortality rate – defined as mortality between zero to one year old – has also “decreased impressively”.

But on the negative side it says that a “significant number” of children are still severely malnourished.

On maternal health, progress has also been made.

THE EIGHT MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
Achieve universal primary education
Promote gender equality and empower women
Reduce child mortality
Improve maternal health
Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases
Ensure environmental sustainability
Develop a global partnership for development
The maternal mortality ratio has been reduced from 574 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1991 to 320 per 100,000 live births in 2001.

In 2006 it was estimated to be 290 per 100,000 live births, but that figure may rise because of recent floods and cyclones.

“The country is more or less on track to meet the MDG target of 143 per 100,000 live births by 2015,” a UN report says.

Yet even here, there is bad news buried within the good.

Approximately 85% of deliveries take place in the home, the UN report says, many without medically trained providers.

It was exactly these kind of depressing statistics that prompted more than 100 presidents, prime ministers and leaders of the world’s nations in September 2000 unanimously to agree upon the MDGs.

These goals focused predominantly on providing nutrition, energy, water, education, health care and environmental protection for one half of the world’s one billion poorest citizens by 2015.

Most of the eight MDGs directly or indirectly affect children. Goal two is to achieve universal primary education and goal three is to reduce child mortality.

The aim of this series is to find out whether the plethora of aid agencies in Bangladesh – nearly all of whom have signed up to the MDGs – are making any difference to the lives of the poorest people in the capital, Dhaka.

It consists of four case studies from the city’s slums:

?A 10-year-old girl who works in a sweatshop
?A nine-year-old boy who hawks cigarettes on the streets of Dhaka
?A nine-year-old girl who is receiving an education
?A mother about to give birth
The overall picture that emerges is of a country where “remarkable progress” has indeed been made. But it also shows a country where much still needs to be done.

“Child mortality has come down over the years so good progress has been made. But the challenges are enormous,” says UN Bangladesh head Renata Lok Dessallien.

“This is a country of over 150 million people, 40% of whom are still below the poverty line.

“It will cost a lot to bring them up to a decent standard of living. The government has done a lot, but there is a lot more that still needs to be done.”

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