Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said although the government has imposed some austerity measures to save public money amid global crises caused by the coronavirus and the Ukraine-Russia war, it did not compromise on printing free textbooks books for children.
“…we did not forget children's issues, we did not compromise on printing their textbooks. Yes, we are trying to save on money in other sectors (imposing austerity measures), but we have given special attention to printing their books,” she said.
The prime minister made the statement while inaugurating the free textbook distribution program for 2023 at her office.
She said due to Covid and the Ukraine- Russia war, prices of everything have gone up, which forced the government to take some austerity measures in public expenditure, but it did not impose austerity in printing textbooks for children and distributing those on the first day of the new year.
She mentioned that the government has defied all obstacles including the coronavirus, the Ukraine-Russia war and price hikes in all commodities.
Sheikh Hasina said to make ‘Smart Bangladesh' by 2041 the children will be provided with all facilities as they are the driving force in attaining the goal.
“We will grow our children in a way that they will be able to cope in the coming days which will be technology driven and make them prepared to become skilled manpower for the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” she said.
She urged all to give special attention to flourish the hidden talents of children by nourishing their curiosities.
“Keeping our eyes towards that we have to build them as worthy citizens of the country for Smart Bangladesh by 2041,” she said.
The prime minister said the main aim of the government is to create technically and technologically skilled manpower by providing proper education.
“Our full population will be technologically smart; they will not lag behind,” she said.
She said if the children of the country can be raised with sincerity, there will be no force in the world that can stop the development and advancement of the country.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain and Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury also spoke at the program.
