Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– The private entrepreneurs have been urged to come forward along with the government to improve quality of education.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid made the appeal while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion in the city on Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) organized the discussion on ‘Higher Education in Enhancing Efficiency: Determining Appropriateness’ with its President Major General (retd) Amjad Khan Chowdhury in the chair.

The minister said the quality of education must be enhanced and job-oriented education be given priority.

Referring to inadequate budget allocation, he said the lion share of this budget is spent on salaries of teachers and employees. Therefore, training, research and other important activities remain undone, he added.

“The government will consider making tax-free any assistance in education sector,” the minister said, adding that the aim of the government is to turn the country’s huge population into human resources.

The minister said the renewal of the educational curricula is now going on as per the education policy. He sought cooperation of business community in this connection.

Former Education Minister Dr Osman Faruq, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Dr AK Azad Chowdhury, TVET Reform Project Chief Technical Adviser Arther Shears and former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Farashuddin took part in the discussion.

BBN/SSR/AD-24Nov11-1:35 pm (BST)