Dhaka //

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has emphasized the need to establish an equity-based system for scholarships and stipends—prioritizing students’ actual financial needs and vulnerability—rather than relying on the conventional concept of equal distribution.

He stated that every penny of government assistance must reach students who genuinely require it to continue their education.

On Tuesday (September 15), a workshop titled “From Evidence to Effective Action: Presentation of Research Findings on the Effectiveness of School Level Improvement Plan (SLIP)” was held at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro auditorium in the capital. The event was jointly organized by the Directorate of Primary Education, PPRC, and UNICEF. He made these remarks while addressing the workshop as the chief guest.

The State Minister noted that providing equal assistance to all students does not necessarily ensure true equality in education; prioritizing those with greater needs constitutes true equity.

He observed that even a small amount of financial aid could play a significant role in ensuring school attendance and the continuation of education for a child from a poor or disadvantaged family. Therefore, policies regarding scholarships and stipends should take into account a family’s financial capacity, the child’s social and economic vulnerabilities, and the likelihood of dropping out of school.

He further added that if a family with the financial means chooses to send their child to a private institution—despite the availability of free education in government primary schools—the necessity of providing them with the same type of government financial assistance could be reconsidered.

Conversely, the highest priority for assistance should be given to children from families struggling to bear educational expenses. “It is our responsibility to direct the government’s limited resources toward the children who need them most,” the State Minister said.

Bobby Hajjaj stated that the government’s goal extends beyond merely ensuring school enrollment; it aims to ensure that no child drops out of education due to poverty, financial hardship, or other obstacles. To achieve this, all forms of support programs—including scholarships, stipends, educational materials, and school feeding initiatives—need to be made more integrated and targeted. He stated that to ensure the effectiveness of government assistance, capacities must be further enhanced for making data-driven decisions and identifying truly disadvantaged students.

Bobby Hajjaj, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education, also emphasized the importance of teaching swimming to primary school students as a life-saving skill. He noted that children in various regions of the country constantly live in environments surrounded by water bodies and rivers. Therefore, initiatives are being taken to integrate swimming into primary education not merely as a sport, but as a vital life skill and a safety measure.

He remarked that providing children with academic knowledge alone is insufficient; they must also be equipped with the necessary skills to protect their own lives.

Joy Milan Maler, Education Specialist at UNICEF, delivered the opening remarks at the event. Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of the PPRC, presented the research findings. Deepa Sankar, Chief of Education at UNICEF Bangladesh, and Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of the Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), participated in the discussion. Officials from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the Directorate of Primary Education were also present.

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