Though there are stories in their curriculum about the International Mother Language Day (IMLD), the students of many educational institutes are in the dark about the Bengali Language Movement, known as Bhasha Andolon, a political movement in former East Bengal advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language.
Locals said the young learners have no interest to the day as they had no idea about the movement.
Most of educational institutions have no Shaheed Minar which is another reason behind reluctance over the day of the students.
A senior teacher of Kurigram Govt High School seeking anonymity said a local leader of the ruling party had promised to set up Shaheed Minar in the school. But he had not kept his promise.
On the other hand, the school authorities do not take steps to build up Shaheed Minar due to unknown reasons.
When Sohag, Mominul and Zunaed, Class Eight students of the school, were asked about day, they answered that they did not know anything about what happened on the day.
Mominul, one of their classmates, said in 1971 the people of the country had sacrificed themselves for language and in 152 for independence.
Khaleque Siddique, headmaster of the school, said: “The students will know everything from the discussion about the day held on the school premises today [yesterday].”
While asked about the Shaheed Minar he said the authority would build the structure soon in the school.
During visit to many schools, including Kurigram Government Girls’ High School, Nilaram School and College, Begum Nur Nahar Goverment High School, River view High School, it was found that there are no shaheed minars.
Many students were asked about the day. Maximum of them echoed the voice of the students of Kurigram Government High School.
Farid, Rased, Mamun and Ashik could not say anything when they were asked about the IMLD.
Dipika, Jannatul, Farzana and Iasmin, Class Nine students of Kurigram Government High School replied that there was a story about the IMLD, but they did not read it.
On the other hand, a 3-day programme started on the premises in Shishu Niketon Field in the district on February 19. A function of quiz competition was held on the occasion of Bhasha Andolon. No body could answer satisfactorily.
Many teachers of the schools opined that the media men of the country have to come ahead to solve the problem.
Though the teachers are trying to remove the darkness of ignorance about the day, it is not sufficient, they added.
Mamunnur Rashid, professor of Kurigram Government College, said:“The students are not interested to join the morning procession now a days.”
Now it has become as a national crisis which is produced from the socio-economic condition of the country, he added.
To remove the crisis, all of the society including the media personalities should keep their role, the professor spoke up.
Bhobo Shankar Barma, district education officer, told the Dhaka Tribune that Shaheed Minar had been built in most of schools of the district.
“We will immediately take measures to build Shaheed Minar in the remaining schools of the district,” he said.