He said the government has been working to frame a policy to monitor the curricula and the financial transparency of around 700 English-medium schools in the country.

The minister was addressing the inaugural function of an international conference on 'UK Education Customer Support and Shared Goals, organised by the UK-based Education Provider Edexcel International at a city hotel.

Dr Farruk presented an article titled 'Scope to for UK Academic and Vocational Education in Bangladesh' at the conference, said an official handout.

The minister said it is the need of time to improve the quality of the technical and vocational education system to the global level and build efficient human resources. It would not be easy to compete in the competitive world without acquiring a strong foundation of English at the secondary level, he added.

Dr. Farruk said the government has taken initiatives to synchronise the education system with the demand of the labour market to alleviate poverty and develop human resources. So, steps have been taken to update the examination system and introduce an uniform education system in the country.

He called upon the international organisations to provide necessary supports for the development of curricula of prospective and market-oriented subjects.

Global Operation Manager of Edexcel Rick Firth, South-Asia Regional Director Nick Sansome, Director of British Council in Bangladesh Dr June Rollison and Dr Mustaq Chowdhury of BRAC also addressed the conference.