Photo : BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, May 21, 2025 (BSS) - The Education Engineering Department (EED) is implementing various infrastructure development schemes across all eight districts under Rajshahi division.

The schemes are being carried out in 864 educational institutions at an estimated cost of around Taka 927.48 crore.

Earlier, the department completed development projects in 1,557 educational institutions-both government and non-government-at a cost of approximately Taka 3,560.72 crore.

Meer Moazzem Hossain, Superintending Engineer of EED, said new buildings have been constructed in 543 government and non-government colleges, while similar works in 398 institutions are progressing.

Five-storey academic buildings have been constructed in eight government secondary schools, and similar structures are underway in 22 others.

Prof Zahur Ali, Principal of Rajshahi College, said there is currently no shortage in educational infrastructure in either urban or rural areas, which has greatly pleased teachers, students, and others concerned.

The EED has vertically expanded buildings in 362 selected private secondary schools, while improvement work is ongoing in 54 others.

Engineer Hossain added that necessary infrastructure has been built in selected private colleges to ensure quality education through the use of information and communication technology.

Additionally, infrastructure improvements have been made in six madrasas with financial support from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), at a cost of around Taka 5.30 crore.

Elevation work in 351 selected non-government secondary schools has been completed, while work is progressing in 39 others.

A Technical School and College has been established in each of eight upazilas, with construction progressing in three more upazilas involving a total cost of around Taka 165.06 crore.

These institutions are expected to significantly contribute to the expansion of technical education in the region.

Capacity-building work in two technical schools and colleges has been completed, while similar efforts in five others are currently ongoing.

As part of the "Secondary Education Sector Investment Programme," 97 institutions have been elevated, and 242 madrasas have undergone infrastructure improvements in the division.

Science education facilities have been expanded in ten government colleges, with work underway to include 17 more under the same initiative.

Twenty-seven post-graduate colleges in district headquarters have also been improved to ensure quality education.

Prof Tanvirul Islam, former Chairman of the Rajshahi Education Board, told BSS that the infrastructural improvements have given a new look to educational institutions in both urban and rural areas of the region.

Multi-storey buildings have been constructed in many rural schools, madrasas, and colleges, significantly reducing the disparity between rural and urban areas.

All selected non-government secondary schools in upazila headquarters have been transformed into model schools.

In addition to new constructions, repair, renovation, and furniture supply works have also been carried out in both government and private schools.

Prof Islam added that currently, there are no institutions-even in remote areas-housed in mud-wall or tin-shed buildings.

However, he emphasized that the next priority must be to ensure equal quality of education in all institutions, which is crucial for developing a skilled workforce.

Jahangir Alam Khan, a development activist working to improve the living and livelihood conditions of rural and ethnic minority communities, said education sector development is vital for nurturing responsible citizens.