Poor governance hinders dev in Bangladesh

"Political leaders must ensure a favourable atmosphere so that everybody can exercise their rights of franchise, " he said.

David was talking to media men after inaugurating a DFID-funded technical school for Ucep on the outskirts of Rajshahi city.

"Many poor people in the country have not enough to eat, but they have the capability to develop," he said, adding that poor governance is obstructing development in Bangladesh.

David said DFID is now spending US $ 200 million annually in health, education and water sectors apart from development of governance and growth of small business in the country.

He said DFID is working with the government in preparing performance indicators for public finance management as its chance of getting future aid will depend on 'such governance-related benchmarks'.

"We have plans to increase the aid significantly, but we want to be assured that the fund is utilised fully," he said.

Earlier speaking at the inaugural function of Ucep technical school, David said DFID's top priority is to help women and landless people and promote education.

He lauded Ucep's activities terming them as 'practical, effective and pragmatic' towards eradicating poverty and supporting the poorest as well as underprivileged youths.

He said Ucep graduates earn the ability to run small industries and business and thereby contribute to poverty alleviation.

The inaugural function was also addressed by Chairman of Ucep Board of Governors M Sirajul Islam, Executive Director Brigadier Aftab Uddin, Programme Director Mahbubul Haque and Rajshahi University teacher Prof ANM Saleh.

UCEP Rajshahi Technical School is providing training facilities to 160 boys and girls in different trades including auto mechanics, welding, electrical and electronics and tailoring.

David accompanied by DFID Education Advisor Barbara Payne also visited the school and talked to the students.

Some girl students including Jesmin Akhtar, Soma, Elina, and Rokeya told them that they were attracted to the technical education just after completing class VIII from Ucep general schools for building them up to meet growing financial demands of their families.

Brigadier Aftab explained that Ucep is not making scholars, but skilled manpower.

"We have plans to run SSC and vocational education together as we will introduce technical education in all general schools," he added.

Ucep operates 32 general and five technical schools including nine para-trade centres in the country involving some 26,000 working children.