Minister stresses moral education for youth

Artificial intelligence (AI) era and rapid technological advancement, young people should be equipped not only with technical skills but also with moral education alongside digital literacy, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Sunday.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a national seminar titled “Role of Moral Education in Implementing the Philosophy of ‘Bangladesh Comes First'” as the chief guest. The seminar was organized by Bangladesh Student Welfare Trust at Daffodil Tower Auditorium in the capital.

He said a strong moral foundation is essential to ensure the proper use of talent and technology among the youth.

Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said the current society and economy are rapidly becoming digitalised. Starting from personal connections to business and commerce, everything now depends on digital platforms, he added.

“We need to quickly transform our state into a modern digital character. At the same time, emphasis should be placed on promoting content on social media that helps create values among the youth,” he said.

Highlighting the context of the political changes of August 5, the minister said if a statesman or responsible person does not have the right moral standards, then his consequences will not be good.

He stressed practicing human values by controlling the innate brutal instincts of people.

“Our education system and curriculum should reflect such moral education so that students can grow up with a better psychology from an early age,” the minister said.

He said in the past, there was a culture of criminalisation in the country where there was no environment to talk about any good initiative or problems.

Currently, Swapon said, the country has been freed from that stifling situation and an environment of free talks has been created.

He urged all to come forward to build a moral society by utilising this opportunity.

Presided over by Bangladesh Student Welfare Trust Vice Chairman Prof Dr Abdul Latif Masum, the meeting was addressed, among others, by State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque, former caretaker government adviser Prof Md Moinuddin Khan and Daffodil International University Chairman Dr Md Sabur Khan.