Education Minister calls for integrating Islamic education into national development

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Tuesday called for integrating Islamic education into Bangladesh's national development agenda, saying it should go beyond religious instruction to help build ethical values, skilled human resources and future leaders.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Best Institution Head and Outstanding Students Award Ceremony for Fazil and Kamil institutions under the Islamic Arabic University at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka, the minister said the ultimate objective of Islamic education is to produce morally responsible, competent and socially conscious citizens.

He said raising the standard of Islamic education to the international level would require greater investment in research, qualified teachers and a modern, demand-driven curriculum.

Dr Milon said madrasa education should no longer remain confined to its traditional framework.

"We must develop the sector in a way that enables madrasa graduates to compete and lead at both national and international levels," he said, urging the Islamic Arabic University to adopt a more research-oriented and strategic approach to strengthening higher Islamic education.

He added that shortcomings in the administrative and academic structure of madrasa education had prompted the government to undertake reforms aimed at building a more integrated and effective education system.

The minister also said initiatives are underway to strengthen links between Fazil and Kamil programmes and mainstream higher education.

Highlighting the importance of values-based education, Dr Milon said Islamic education could play a vital role in promoting ethics and character-building within the national education system.

However, he stressed that this would require qualified teachers, modern teaching methods and updated, practical curricula.

Referring to the shortage of teachers in the madrasa sector, he said many institutions continue to face difficulties in recruiting competent educators, particularly in Islamic studies, and urged the authorities concerned to take a more proactive role in curriculum development and improving education quality.

The minister also acknowledged salary-related complications faced by some newly appointed madrasa teachers, saying the government is actively working to resolve the issue.

He added that the introduction of the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) system would make salary payments more transparent, efficient and convenient.

Addressing students, Dr Milon urged them to focus on acquiring knowledge, research expertise and professional skills rather than merely earning academic certificates.

He said graduates of Islamic education should be equipped to contribute to every sector of national development.

The government, he added, will continue expanding opportunities for Fazil and Kamil graduates to pursue higher education and compete for national career opportunities, including the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations.

The programme was chaired by Professor Dr Mohammad Abu Jafar Khan, Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic Arabic University.

Among the special guests were Abdul Khaleq, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, and Professor Dr Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE).

Vice-chancellors, principals, teachers and students from educational institutions across the country attended the event.