PM proposes donors to schools get tax rebate

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Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina has asked the officials concerned Thursday to make a provision so that a person who donates to school funds get tax rebate, reports UNB. This way the philanthropists will be encouraged to donate to schools which will have a financial base and gradually be free from depending on the government to function independently, added the Prime Minister. "I want to see the schools across the country standing on their own base, they will never be dependant on others," the PM said while addressing a representatives' conference of the Primary School Teachers' Association (PSTA) of the private MPO listed primary schools at her office. Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. Mohammad Afsarul Ameen, PM's Adviser Dr Alauddin Ahmed, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Motahar Hossain, PSTA president Aminul Islam Chowdhury and secretary general Monsur Ali spoke at the conference. The Prime Minister viewed that the 'tax rebate system' for raising fund for the schools would make the education system better. If the fund comes from school committee, the parents and the rich people of the area it would be good as all people of the locality will have the stake in the school and they will be sincere for the welfare of their educational institution. In this connection she mentioned that the government might be changed after every election and the decision might be overturned by the successive government. "So, we want to provide a strong base for the educational institutions," she said justifying her proposal. Sheikh Hasina said that the educational quality of the country, especially in private educational institutions, should be raised as it is still below standard. Regarding the demand from the PSTA she said that she would talk to the Finance Minister regarding nationalisation of all MPO listed private schools. She reaffirmed her government's commitment towards the development of the educational system as she said: "To build a poverty free Bangladesh, education is the main tool." She said that the primary school teachers of the country are playing a vital role for the nation building process. "We know there are some problems among them and the government is sincere to solve all those problems." Regarding the newly formulated education policy she said that vocational education got priority in the new policy. The government has taken initiative for decentralization of the administration so that the teachers in the rural areas don't need to come to the Dhaka for a simple purpose.