IT courses from 2005

There can be no doubt that bridging the digital divide is key to Bangladesh's continued economic and social development. In the past decade of democracy we have made some notable advances in education and providing access to economic opportunity, but if we do not move quickly to provide mass IT education and access, we are in danger of falling behind again. In these rapidly changing times, the ability to continue to grow and advance is dependent on being able to master, navigate and take advantage of the new technological landscape.

There is often a gap between policy initiatives and their implementation. Sometimes this has been owing to lack of political will to follow through on pledges and sometimes this is merely a reflection of the scarcity of resources that our political leaders have at hand to see their good ideas through to fruition.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The PM has correctly identified a key area for her government to focus on. Now comes the time for the government to make the investment of financial resources, time and energy necessary to effectuate her IT policy initiative. This means, among other things, building network infrastructure, creating the environment necessary for the industry to flourish, and lowering the cost of computers, power and access to communications systems.

Enacting IT education at the secondary and higher secondary level will require enormous resources and political will. For a developing country where increasing access to even basic education strains the government's resources, it may sound like a tall ask. But with the PM's commitment there should be enough political will and garnering of resources to make her vision work.