Pointing at recent movements by various sections of teachers to have their demands fulfilled, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said it will not be possible to realise any demand by putting pressure on the government.
“If anyone thinks it’s the last year of the government, and we (govt) will fulfill all the demands they’re placing that’s wrong. I don’t care about power. It matters little to me whether I’ll be there in power or not,” she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing an ‘Education Rally’ arranged by the National University at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city. Some 2040 principals of the colleges under National University from across the country joined the rally. Sheikh Hasina said her government gives the highest importance to education and has taken many steps for the sector since it assumed office in 1996. “Anyone didn’t need to go for any movement and place demands in this regard since then. “You [teachers] can keep trust in Awami League as it didn’t deprive anyone of his or her rights and won’t do either as long as it’s in power. I’ll just say nobody can realise anything exerting pressure on us,” she added.
The Prime Minister went on saying, “When we’re taking the country forward based on a policy, everything can’t be realised by creating unnecessary pressure.” Talking about quality education, Sheikh Hasina said now many persons say that the quality of education is not being maintained.
But there is question here how the standard is measured. “Improving the standard is a matter of continuation.”
She stressed the need for having time-befitting curricula in line with the changing world and urged the teachers to formulate that with a focus on technological education.
Describing teachers as the architects of the nation, she said they will have to think what kind of human beings they are creating through providing lessons as the future of the country and the nation.
Mentioning that her government gives importance to modern and technology education, the Prime Minister said the mindset of the teachers and those prepare curricula will have to be modern as well to take the country forward keeping consistency with the fast changing world. She said the Awami League government has established many science and technology-based universities, including maritime university, 12 science and technology universities, Textile University and Fashion Design University. About the National University (NU), Hasina said there is no session jam at the NU and it also published academic calendar for up to 2021. Now most NU activities are being conducted with the use of information technology.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid also spoke on the occasion, while NU Vice Chancellor Dr Harun-or-Rashid delivered the welcome speech. Earlier, Sheikh Hasina handed over honorary mementos and prizes to principals of the best seven colleges selected on their performance ranking. The colleges are Rajshahi Government College, Government Adward College in Pabna, Government Karmichael College in Rangpur, Government Brojomohan College in Barisalm Bogra Government Azizul Haque College, Dhaka Commerce College and Siddheswari Girls’ College in Dhaka. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also inaugurated Education Development Project involving Tk 1040 crore and laid the foundation stones of 10 new projects undertaken by the National University.
