Yunus inaugurates e-learning in 12 schools across three hill districts

The programme will be launched across 149 schools in Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has inaugurated e-learning programmes in 12 schools across the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban.

On Tuesday afternoon, he joined virtually from the State Guest House Jamuna to interact with teachers and students of three primary and nine secondary schools.

According to a statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO), the initiative will be expanded rapidly to 149 selected schools in the three districts.

Addressing the event, Yunus said internet access had reached most parts of the world but remained unavailable in the hill tracts, calling it a failure of successive governments.

“We are sorry for this. We have started with only 12 schools today, when this should have begun in 3,500 schools. We must reach that goal very quickly,” he said.

He noted that despite the region’s natural beauty, qualified teachers were often reluctant to work there due to poor connectivity.

With internet-based education, students would no longer be dependent on the physical presence of teachers, he said.

“The advantage of the internet is that a teacher can teach from anywhere in the world. You will not fall behind because of a shortage of teachers,” Yunus added.

Highlighting healthcare, he said internet access would also allow people in remote areas to consult doctors and receive medical advice online.

“We are all citizens of this country. You are entitled to the same rights as everyone else. Any failure to ensure this reflects the government’s incompetence, and we must overcome that,” he said.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Advisor Supradip Chakma said the event reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to education in the hill tracts.

“We will gradually roll out e-learning to all 149 schools. The government does not want the hill tracts to lag behind, nor do its people want to remain disconnected,” he said.

The schools where e learning has begun include Rani Dayamoyee High School, Kaptai Al-Amin Nuria Dakhil Madrasah, Farua Junior Secondary School and Islamabad Government Primary School in Rangamati; Kamalchari Pilot High School, Hajachhari Junior High School, Manikchari Girls' High School, Pujgang Mukh Government Primary School in Khagrachhari, and Balaghata Ideal School, Haji Firoza Begum Wami Academy, Tindu Junior High School and Bogamukh Para Government Primary School in Bandarban.