Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain has categorically said that the government has no intention to establish separate university for the children of bureaucrats.
“The government is working to ensure equal opportunity for all in our society,” he said in reply to a query from journalists at the secretariat on Sunday.
So, establishing separate university for the children of bureaucrats is not viable now, he added. Divisional and deputy commissioners presented a 24-point proposal during the conference held from March 3 to March 6. It stated that master’s and advanced degree programmes, training for civil service officers, and their children’s education could be offered at a separate university.
While talking about the Deputy Commissioners’ proposal, the minister reiterated the inclusive nature of higher education, emphasising that universities are institutions accessible to all. He noted that the DCs placed various demands during their meeting with the prime minister, stressing the universality of educational opportunities.
In addition, they proposed taking measures to curtail the introduction of new courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in government and NU-affiliated colleges across the country.
Minister Farhad Hossain said, “We have other big work to do. Even if any separate university is established in the future, everyone can study there.”
He further said that DCs can put forward any proposal. Many people placed many demands when they met the Prime Minister.
Dr. Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, a senate member of Dhaka University and former chairman of PKSF, told The Bangladesh Post that if professionals want to set up separate universities for their kids, other professionals ought to do the same particularly for the kids who come of workers, farmers and journalists’ families.
Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, a physics professor at Dhaka University, told The Bangladesh Post that if it is possible to develop a quality education system, then all will benefit and can achieve international standards. It should be only through open competition so that real education can be attained, and be beneficial to the country and nation.
He further said, “I see no justification for separate universities for the children of bureaucrats as they can send their children abroad for higher education.”
The public administration minister further said, “The recommendation sent by the Ministry of Education regarding the age limit for employment is a policy decision of the government. I will discuss it with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The decision will be taken at the behest of the prime minister.”
In reply to another question from journalists on Sunday, he said but the prime minister talked about the age limit of 35 years in parliament. She discouraged this. The prime minister said that if the age limit is raised, there may be a problem with retirement age.
A discussion on raising the age limit for employment will continue. Steps will be taken accordingly, the minister added.
