State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj today (10 September) said from now on the success of primary education will not be measured by how many buildings have been constructed, but by how many children have been ensured learning.

“A building does not create a generation. It is a skilled teacher, an effective classroom and an accountable education system that can change the future of a generation,” he told a training workshop at Dhaka PTI here.

Office of the Deputy Director, Primary Education, Dhaka Division, organised the event titled “Accountability, Effective School Leadership, Team Coordination and Active Participation of Local Communities”.

The state minister said the school feeding or mid-day meal programme will be introduced across government primary schools nationwide from next year.

Stressing that the primary education system would by no means be kept outside the scope of accountability, the state minister said in a democratic system of government, accountability must be ensured at every level of the primary education system, up to the highest level.

“If we can strengthen the foundation of primary education, it will be possible to resolve most of the problems in the country’s overall education system,” he said.
The school feeding programme from next year is not merely an initiative to provide nutritional support to children but an important test of ensuring good governance, transparency and accountability, he said.

Hajjaj said strict monitoring would be maintained in implementing the programme to ensure quality and prevent irregularities and corruption

Through the programme, he said, the government aims not only to improve children’s nutrition and increase school attendance, but also to establish a transparent, accountable and people-friendly management system.

The state minister further said two new books titled “Bangladesh Culture” and “Sports” would be introduced in the Class Four curriculum from 2027 to make the curriculum for primary school students more enjoyable, diverse and practical.

Through these books, students will gain basic knowledge about the country’s history, heritage, culture and sports, while also developing greater interest in sports, he added. 

This, he said, would contribute to the children’s physical and mental development and strengthen their connection with the country’s culture and values.

Hajjaj said an integrated teacher policy and an administrative policy are being formulated for primary teachers and field-level officials and employees respectively.

The policies will clearly outline important service-related matters, including promotion, transfer and pay scales, he said. 

This, he said, would further strengthen transparency, discipline and accountability in human resource management within the primary education system.

Directorate of Primary Education Director General Shahina Ferdousi, senior officials concerned, district primary education officers from all districts of Dhaka Division, PTI superintendents and upazila primary education officers were also present at the workshop.

Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) of Dhaka Division, Md Azmul Haque, chaired the workshop.