Mainstream education needs modification: Prof Yunus

The integration of practical training into the education system will contribute in building up a skilled workforce in the country, he said at a seminar in the city yesterday.

The Centre for Mass Education in Science (CMES), an NGO working for the underprivileged adolescents, organised the seminar on 'Effective education for the disadvantaged adolescents, adolescent girls' power and technology for their life and livelihood' as part of its silver jubilee celebrations.

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Prof Yunus said if the CEMS can achieve successful integration between education and work for the underprivileged children, it would be a good example for the mainstream education.

He said such an education system, introduced by the CMES, will help the students compete with the world by their intelligence, not money.

CMES Executive Director Dr Muhammad Ibrahim said this education system has provided many underprivileged adolescents with life-skill training and education.

In another seminar organised by the CMES, the speakers called for better coordination among the NGOs, government and civil society to make the development programmes a success.

The title of the seminar was 'How to take the NGO achievements into the community responsibility and the mainstream?'

Shaheen Anam, team leader of Manusher Jonno, stressed the need for ensuring transparency and accountability of the NGOs to increase acceptability to the local people.

The NGOs should also help each other, follow the best practices and work in collaboration with the local institutions, she said.

Former Joint Director of BRDB Taherunnesa Abdullah, Director of CAMPE Rasheda K Chowdhury, ITDG Country Director Veena Khaleque, Prof Abu Hamid Latif, Shireen Haque of Nari Pokkho, Dr Safiqul Islam of Brac also spoke in the seminars.

The CMES also organised a two-day exhibition that began at the Engineers' Institute on Monday, with the adolescent boys and girls showcasing their products and services.

Mushroom cultivation, apiculture, a beauty parlour, a photography studio, as well as food processing and solar electricity systems were put on display.