The foundation for the development of Bangladesh’s education system was laid during the BNP’s previous tenure in government, said Mohd Selim Bhuiyan, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Education and president of the Bangladesh Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had given the education sector the highest priority. He allocated it the highest share of the budget, expressing hope that further progress would be made in the coming years.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a teachers’ rally demanding nationalisation of their jobs and the triennial conference of the Cox’s Bazar District Teachers’ Association at Cox’s Bazar Public Hall on Saturday.
Selim Bhuiyan said initiatives had already been taken to improve infrastructure at schools, expand research activities and enhance the status of teachers. He also said the prime minister had instructed authorities to invite teachers to various government programmes.
He added that the prime minister had agreed to nationalise all non-government schools and expressed hope that the benefits of the initiative would be realised soon.
The conference was chaired by Cox’s Bazar District Teachers’ Association president Hossainul Islam Matbar.
Other speakers included Bangladesh College Teachers’ Association (BAKSIS) central secretary general Chowdhury Mughis Uddin Mahmud, Bangladesh Teachers’ Association central secretary general Zakir Hossain, Retirement Benefit Board member Zakir Hossain Akand, Bangladesh Madrasa Teachers’ Council additional secretary general Maulana Abu Mohammad Alim Akand, BAKSIS joint secretary general AKM Fazlul Haque and Teachers-Employees Welfare Trust member Touhidul Islam Tipu.
Chattogram district BAKSHIS president Mohammad Nazim Uddin, district joint convenor Saiful Islam Chowdhury, Abdus Sattar Majumder, district president of the Bangladesh Educational Institution Employees Unity Council Md Alam, former teachers’ representative ANM Nurul Amin and Teknaf Teachers’ Association representative M Manzur also spoke.
Representatives of teachers’ associations from Ukhiya, Pekua, Kutubdia, Moheshkhali, Matamuhuri, Ramu, Chakaria and Cox’s Bazar Sadar also addressed the gathering.
Chowdhury Mughis Uddin Mahmud alleged that officials from the previous government were still creating obstacles to teachers and progress in the education sector in different areas.
Cox’s Bazar District Teachers’ Association general secretary Ranjit Chakraborty delivered the welcome address. The programme was moderated by Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila Teachers’ Association president Nazim Uddin.
Selim Bhuiyan said the central committee would announce the future leadership of the Cox’s Bazar District Teachers’ Association.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
