Give greater focus on academic activities: PM

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the authorities concerned to give special attention to academic activities in their educational institutions, reports UNB.

"Our students are talented ones. We're giving them all sorts of facilities. Why cannot they pass examinations? So, I think special attention will have to given to all institutions whether academic activities are properly run there," she said.

The prime minister made the remarks while formally inaugurating the free textbook distribution programme and receiving the results of this year's Primary Education Completion (PEC), Ebtedayee, Junior School Certificate (JSC), Junior Dakhil Certificate (JDC) and equivalent examinations at her official residence Ganabhaban in the city.

She opened the free textbook distribution programme by handing over books of primary and secondary level students for the 2018 academic year.

Hasina directed the authorities concerned to formulate time-befitting curricula for the students to keep pace with the modern world. "The world is changing fast. So, we'll have to prepare time-befitting curricula," she said.

The PM said her government has been doing everything necessary for creating educated generation to take the country towards the desired target.

Terming education assets, Hasina advised the students to develop themselves as well-educated adding that no one can steal or snatch education.

Receiving the results of PEC and Ebtedayee examinations, the prime minister expressed satisfaction at the pass rate. "The pass rate is good... our students are meritorious."

Hasina said students regained their confidence through appearing in the exams, which is very essential.

"Bangladesh was almost in the dark age from 2001 to 2008," Hasina said.

"We've taken initiatives again after forming the government following the 2008 election. So, the literacy rate now stands at 72 percent according to official statistics. Actually, the rate is higher than it," she said.

The prime minister said the dropout rate has declined and students are becoming attentive to their studies due to the government's steps.

Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid handed over the results of JSC and JDC examinations to the prime minister, while primary and mass education minister Mustafizur Rahman formally handed over the PEC and Ebtedayee results.

The chairmen of eight general education boards and madrasa and technical education boards separately handed over the JSC and JDC exam results of their respective board to Sheikh Hasina.