Staff Reporter :
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday pledged that, if his party is voted back to office, it will prioritise education by allocating the largest share of the national budget to improve quality and produce skilled, ethical citizens.
“We have a comprehensive plan-just as we did before. During Begum Khaleda Zia’s tenure, education consistently received the highest budget allocation.
Inshallah, if BNP is given the responsibility to govern again, we will ensure that education retains that top priority,” Tarique said.
He made the remarks while virtually addressing the Merit Scholarship Examination and Results and Prize-Giving Ceremony organised by the Khandaker Shamsul Alam Foundation at Pakundia Government High School field in Kishoreganj.
Responding to a question from a student named Farzana-who asked what steps BNP would take to improve the quality of primary education and attract students to government primary schools-Tarique outlined his party’s vision.
He said BNP’s plans include renovating and modernising dilapidated primary school buildings to ensure students can learn in a comfortable environment.
“We also want to create conditions where teachers can devote themselves entirely to teaching.
Alongside this, we’ll provide them with social and economic support so they don’t need to take on other jobs, allowing them to focus completely on educating children,” he said.
Tarique commended young Farzana for raising such a thoughtful question about the state of primary education.
During the interactive Q&A session, the BNP leader described education as the cornerstone of national progress and pledged that a future BNP government would prioritise strong primary education and moral instruction to foster a corruption-free society.
“To build a prosperous Bangladesh, we must start with primary education – focusing on schools, teachers, and students.
It’s not enough to merely teach the alphabet; children must also learn social values, the distinction between right and wrong, and moral principles from this stage,” he explained.
He emphasised that anti-corruption values must be integrated into the early education system.
“In our country, whether we admit it or not, corruption exists in many spheres. While state institutions can address it formally, the real solution lies in education.
If today’s children grow up with a mindset to resist corruption, Inshallah, we can build a corruption-free Bangladesh,” he said.
Tarique stressed the need to include lessons on rejecting and protesting against corruption in the primary curriculum.
“Teachers should nurture these values in students so they understand from an early age that corruption is an evil act,” he added.
He said if children are taught from the beginning that corruption harms society, they will have the courage to stand against it when they grow up.
Tarique further noted that primary schools play a vital role in shaping students’ moral and social character, teaching them respect for elders, care for others, love for nature, study habits, and discipline – lessons that must begin in early childhood education.
He expressed his belief that today’s talented children will become tomorrow’s leaders of Bangladesh.
Advising students to avoid distractions, he said there are no shortcuts to success and urged them not to waste time on electronic gadgets or social media.
Tarique also mentioned that BNP plans to identify and nurture talent in various fields-academics, arts, mathematics, or sports-and provide them with the support they need to grow.
Citing Nelson Mandela, he reminded students: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” He urged them to use education as a tool for positive transformation.
He said to survive with dignity in a competitive world, students must pursue quality, practical, and technical education, and that BNP is committed to modernising the entire education system in line with global knowledge, science, and innovation.
Referring to BNP’s 31-point reform plan, Tarique said it includes ensuring safe campuses for students and revising the national curriculum through expert consultation to align it with contemporary needs.
He concluded by expressing hope that once he returns to Bangladesh from London, he will meet the country’s youth in person to discuss how to rebuild and advance the nation together.
