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		<lang class="3" colour="#000000" orgstyle="HEAD new 2" style="Headline1"  font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="24">DCs seek PM’s intervention on drug menace </lang>
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="FROM PAGE" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Bold" size="7">FROM PAGE 12
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="INDENTLESS BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">Meanwhile, the Cox’s Bazar DC suggested disbursing funds for government land acquisition through the iBAS++, a government software, to curb corruption and public suffering.
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">During the session related to the Ministry of Health, several DCs said health services are being disrupted at district and upazila levels due to doctor shortages and the absence of appointed physicians.
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain assured the DCs that the ministry would take the necessary steps to address this issue.
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">Additionally, the DCs of Netrokona and Pirojpur proposed the allocation of water ambulances to ensure healthcare services in the remote haor areas.
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">Following the session, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said DCs had flagged declining student interest in schools and stressed the need for joyful learning. He added that classroom competitions, curriculum updates, midday meals and school‑uniform support are on the government’s agenda.
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">Regarding proposals for a unified curriculum, primary schools in tea garden areas, and free education for children with disabilities, Milon said, “Every proposal is accepted. We must accept it and go ahead.”
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">On Qawmi madrasa education, the minister said he has held three meetings with representatives regarding degree equivalence and standardisation. He added that the ministry would soon submit a proposal defining the equivalence of Qawmi levels to SSC, intermediate, degree, and Dawra levels.
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">Addressing teacher shortages, Milon noted that 32,500 primary headmaster posts are currently tied up in court cases, while 14,300 primary teacher recruits are being brought “into discipline”. He added that primary schools require an additional 32,500 teachers and 15,000 staff, while government high schools need 7,000 teachers.
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">He said if the PSC cannot provide teachers, the ministry will consider holding a special exam. New primary teachers may be sent to Primary Training Institutes after joining, Milon said. “Those who fail the training will not be retained, and teachers will only be made permanent after two years of service.”
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">Following yesterday’s session, the DCs met with President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Today, the second day of the conference, discussions regarding 24 ministries and divisions will take place across five sessions.
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	<lang class="3" style=".Bodylaser" colour="#000000" orgstyle="BODY new" font="Blacker Pro Display" fontStyle="Regular" size="9">The DCs will pay a courtesy call on the Speaker of the National Parliament this evening. The conference will continue until May 6, with 34 sessions scheduled over the four-day period.</lang>
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