Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said that his party, in principle, supported teachers’ legitimate demands for job nationalisation and the inclusion of more schools under the monthly pay order scheme.
He made the remarks responding to teachers’ demands at a rally organised by the Teachers-Employees Unity Council at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka to mark World Teachers’ Day.
Outlining the party’s vision for education, Tarique announced that, if elected, the BNP would form a high-level commission to examine ways to improve teachers’ financial security, regularise employment, or even consider nationalization, depending on the state’s financial capacity.
Another reform commission would be established to overhaul the existing curriculum, prioritising practical and technical education from the school level, he said.
Tarique said that Bangladesh would struggle to remain competitive globally unless urgent steps were taken to modernise the education system and align it with ethical and work-oriented values.
‘The world has entered the age of Artificial Intelligence. To survive with dignity and influence, we must strengthen ourselves in intellect, knowledge, and science,’ he said.
The BNP leader sought the people’s mandate, along with the sincere cooperation of teachers and education professionals nationwide, in the upcoming elections to build a merit-based state and government.
Tarique said that teachers were the most important instruments in building a knowledge-based society, and the foundation of the state would not be strong if that instrument was weak.
He emphasised that teachers’ financial and social security were essential to fostering an environment where learning could flourish, adding that a teacher in distress could not inspire the joy of knowledge.
Tarique said that his party aimed to make teaching a prestigious and competitive profession that could attract the most talented individuals.
‘We are determined to ensure that teachers’ financial stability and dignity are secured,’ he said.
He also said that when corrupt individuals gained wealth, the nation’s image declined, but when teachers retained their dignity, the moral fabric of society strengthened.
He expressed confidence that teachers could lead a social movement against corruption.
Tarique also proposed that teachers should be given symbolic recognition by the state, suggesting that at least one teacher from primary and secondary schools should be invited to national events such as Independence Day and Victory Day celebrations.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged the teachers to play a vital role in the forthcoming national election, saying that they had a significant responsibility in ensuring a fair and democratic process.
He warned of a deep conspiracy aimed at diverting the upcoming election from its proper course.
Describing the election as a test for the nation, Fakhrul said that Bangladesh must be led wisely to restore democracy.
Referring to the BNP’s 31-point education commitments, he called on the teachers to help raise a generation of ideal citizens imbued with moral and social values.
BNP standing committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, former education minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon and Teachers-Employees Unity Council chairman Selim Bhuiyan, among others, also spoke.