Campaign to popularise, promote sc. edn stressed

The Ministry of Science, Information and Communication Technology should immediately start campaigns to popularise and promote science education as student enrollment pattern in science is falling dangerously in the country, according to an educationist. "Students are presently going for humanities and business education. Our overall enrollment pattern is shifting. It's very dangerous for Bangladesh," said Prof Dr M Alimullah Miyan, founder and Vice Chancellor of the International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT). In an interview with the news agency on the sidelines of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE 2011) in Doha, he said students' science education tendency is seen going downward and it is gradually falling when enrollment pattern is analyzed from secondary to higher education. "The dwindling interest in science education is a big weakness of our education," Dr Miyan said, adding that there are many reasons behind this. He said students are not being attracted towards science education and there is also lack of adequate facilities for science education in the country. "Many schools don't have well-equipped laboratories, so they don't get permission to open science subjects. Besides, there is a big shortage of science teachers in the country." He suggested that well-equipped laboratories should be set up at least in the country's pilot schools to strengthen science education. Dr Miyan, also a former professor and director of the Institute Business Administration of Dhaka University, said the authorities could take help of technology and advantage of modern simulation internet without setting up traditional laboratory in the schools.