ICT Education in Bangladesh
Information Technology
Information technology refers to the study or use of electronic equipment, especially computers, for sharing
information of all kinds, including words, numbers and pictures. It is a developing technology that aims at
obtaining the maximum information with minimal resources.
Information has been the major requirement for progress and development. The 2 1 st century is considered as the
century of nformation Technology. Technological progress during the past sixty years has. brought about
explosion in knowledge. Nowadays mobile phone, for instance, is a part of our life. We can contact with others
by phone call, e-mail, text-messages, social networks etc. Similarly, the personal computer has been changing
and influencing our lifestyle.
Computer has revolutionized life in a big way. Just with a press of few buttons, an individual can gather vast
amount of information. Today, any amount of information can be conveyed from one corner of the world to any
other parts in a matter of seconds. Information technology has proved to be a great advantage to the field of
education. If proper access is given, no student will now be deprived of the best information available on any
subject in any part of the world.
In the field of the social and cultural development, information technology is showing its wonderful impact.
Online shopping, telemedicine, video conferencing, E-mail, videophones etc. are bringing the peoples of the
world close together and ushering in an era of mutual goodwill, understanding and harmonious relationship.
To conclude, although information technology is a blessing, the miscreants often use it for various heinous
causes. Terrorism and cyber-bullying are a few ৮examples of such acts. If the concerned authorities cannot
contrbl the criminals, the gifts of science could prove to be the sources of evils.
Necessity of Compulsory ICT Education in Bangladesh
We live in the age of information and communication technology (ICT). The rapid march of technology and its
triumphs are everywhere- be it in personal life or national life. The necessity of compulsory ICT education in
Bangladesh is thus absolute. The good news is that the government has already made ICT education compulsory
at schools and colleges. As per the Education Policy 2010, ICT is a compulsory subject for secondary and
higher secondary students.
ICT education gives the students primary ideas about computer and related devices, internet, mobile phone and
their usages. It builds the foundation for ICT studies at tertiary level. Students can reap the benefits of ICT
education in Bangladesh where digital divide is still extensive. However, the country is trying its best to narrow
the gap by harnessing ICT at all levels of education as part of its far-reaching 'Digital Bangladesh' vision. Only
ICT education can make an ICT knowledge-based digital society.
Through ICT education, Bangladesh will gain in the long run by producing IT graduates, experts
professionals. ICT education focuses on capacity building of students who will turn into human resources in
computer hardware and software technologies, and contribute to the national economy by producing local IT
products and exporting them.
To conclude, ICT education is the demand of time. Compulsory ICT education will help grow the potential ICT
sector., The government has thus recognized the importance of ICT education to keep pace with the developing
world. But it's a matter of concern that almost 50 percent the schools have got no efficient ICT teachers yet.