Dhaka School Introduces Smart Classrooms and Chinese Language Programme

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon has said education, technology and language learning can play a vital role in deepening Bangladesh-China relations, with bilateral cooperation reaching beyond diplomatic engagements to schools and classrooms.

He made the remarks on Thursday while inaugurating smart classrooms and a Chinese language learning programme at Shamsul Haque Khan School and College in Matuail, Dhaka.

Milon said the friendship between Bangladesh and China, established during the tenure of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, had gained further momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He stressed the need to take bilateral ties beyond speeches and formal agreements and strengthen people-to-people connections through educational cooperation, beginning at the primary school level.

"Our friendship should not remain limited to speeches, documents or the signing of memorandums of understanding. It should become closer through cooperation in education, starting from primary schools," he said.

The minister said he wanted to ensure access to smart classrooms, computer education and Chinese language learning for students from ordinary and middle-income families, rather than restricting such facilities to affluent areas.

He added that the government was prioritising education and had increased the education budget under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership.

Milon also highlighted plans to introduce sports and cultural activities from Class IV, alongside the 'Learning with Happiness' approach for students in Classes V and VI. Technical and vocational education was also being prioritised to equip students for an increasingly technology-driven world, he said.

Referring to educational ties between Bangladesh and China, the minister said his recent discussions with Chinese counterparts had created fresh opportunities for cooperation. He expressed optimism that educational initiatives would further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two countries and benefit future generations.

Liu Haixing, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome in Bangladesh and the enthusiasm displayed by students towards China.

Praising students for performing Chinese songs, Liu said their performances demonstrated their affection for China and its people.

He said Bangladesh and China shared longstanding historical and cultural ties, adding that recent exchanges between the leaders of the two countries had elevated bilateral relations to a new level.

Liu noted that education was an important component of the 13 agreements signed during recent high-level engagements between the two countries.

He described the inauguration of the smart classrooms as a practical step towards fulfilling the commitments made by the two countries' leaders to expand educational cooperation.

He said two smart classrooms equipped with computers supplied by Chinese technology company Huawei had been handed over to the institution.

Liu expressed hope that the facilities would provide students with greater access to the digital world and help them build a brighter future.

Engr Sheikh Korban Ali, president of the China-Bangladesh Education and Culture Exchange Association, senior Education Ministry officials, members of the Chinese delegation, teachers, students and invited guests were also present at the programme.