Such an education system, already initiated by the Underprivileged Children's Educational Programmes (UCEP) in its schools, will further open up an window of opportunity for employment and upward social mobility, they told journalists who visited the UCEP's Dhaka Technical School at Mirpur in the city.

Thousands of working and distressed children have benefited from this new education system of UCEP, an organisation working for the welfare of the underprivileged children.

UCEP Chairperson M Sirajul Islam said that the UCEP have succeeded in bringing dramatic change to the lives of the target group and their families, resulting in a positive impact on the economy and development of the country.

He also said the UCEP has gradually expanded its different educational programmes -- general, technical and vocational training. At present, there are about 25,000 underprivileged students in 44 schools and training centres of the UCEP in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna.

The Dhaka Technical School offers a number of courses such as auto mechanic work, welding, plumbing, electronic technology, electrical work, refrigeration & air conditioning, printing technology, wood working, industrial sewing machine operation and tailoring and dress-making.

"Over 94 percent students attends the classes regularly and the dropout rate is less than four percent. Ninety-nine percent of students can find suitable jobs after completing the training course," said Brig. Gen. (retd.) Aftab Uddin Ahmad, executive director of UCEP.

"More than 30 lakh children are born in the country every year, but around 10 lakh students sit for the SSC examinations, which means the remaining 20 lakh children are being deprived of education," said Dr Obaidur Rob, vice-chairman of UCEP.