PM Tarique Rahman Directs to Keep Education Free from Partisan Influence

Education and Primary & Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given strict instructions to keep education completely free from any partisan or party-political influence.

He made the remark while replying to a question from Noakhali-6 (Hatiya) MP Abdul Hannan Masud during the question-answer session on the second day of the first sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) today, Sunday (15 March).

The minister said: “Education is not anyone’s personal or party matter; it is everyone’s fundamental right. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given firm instructions to keep education entirely outside the realm of partisan politics.”

Earlier, MP Abdul Hannan Masud highlighted the education crisis in his constituency Hatya and other river-erosion-prone areas. He asked whether the ministry has any special list or initiative to ensure allocation for schools displaced by river erosion and to secure education for affected students. He also drew attention to the absence of any secondary school on Nijhum Dwip (home to about 25,000 people) and the severe teacher shortage in primary schools there.

In response, Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon said: “The government is always sincere in protecting educational institutions in river-erosion-affected areas. During the anti-fake movement from 2001 to 2006, I visited Hatya and witnessed the erosion damage. Even during the tenure of then-Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, many affected institutions were relocated to safer places.”

He assured measures for Nijhum Dwip and added: “The government will take new initiatives to deliver quality education to the remote and backward population of Hatya. Special consideration will be given to collecting data on dropout students and arranging schools on Nijhum Dwip.”

The first session of the 13th Parliament began on Thursday. On that day, Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman delivered the opening speech. Veteran politician and MP Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain was unanimously elected as presiding member. Under his chairmanship, the election of the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker was completed.

Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Bir Bikrom) took oath as Speaker and Barrister Kaiser Kamal as Deputy Speaker. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered their oaths in a ceremony at the President’s Office at noon.

The new Speaker presented the condolence motion. Discussions were held on former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and the martyrs of the July mass uprising. Following tradition, President Mohammed Shahabuddin then delivered his address to the House.