Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said those involved in supplying substandard textbooks will face exemplary punishment.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled “People’s Thoughts on the Development of Kachua”, organised by the Kachua Upazila Association at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka on Saturday.

Speaking about the preparation, printing and distribution of textbooks, the minister said the government would not compromise on their quality.

“The substandard books that have already been found have been cancelled and destroyed. Those involved in supplying substandard books will be given exemplary punishment,” he said.

He said there would be no concession on the quality of paper, ink, printing presses or other aspects of textbook production.

“The Prime Minister wants the country’s printing industry to develop, so no foreign company has been given printing work this year. We have been able to print quality books on time in the past, and I hope we will be able to do so in the future as well, InshaAllah,” he said.

The minister said a mid-day meal programme is currently being implemented in primary schools across 150 upazilas to support quality education.

The programme will be expanded nationwide in the future, he said, adding that students would eventually be able to purchase meals from school canteens using coupons.

Plans are also in place to expand the food menu, he said.

The minister said sports and cultural books would be introduced for fourth-grade students, while a new curriculum would be developed with greater emphasis on technical education.

“There is no alternative to developing human resources amid the changing global situation,” he said.

He also outlined plans to establish technical schools and colleges in every upazila, with a third language to be introduced at the institutions.

The minister said two sets of examination question papers would be prepared at separate locations in the future — one by the Bangladesh Government Press and the other by the Army Security Printing Press.

He said the changes would help ensure examinations are held on time and prevent students from losing valuable time because of delays, while also reducing disruptions caused by monsoon-related disasters.

He said changes had also been made to the re-evaluation process for examination answer scripts based on practical considerations.

“We are going to introduce a cross-border education system with the aim of turning Bangladesh into an education hub,” he said.

Under the proposed system, the university law would be amended to allow foreign educational institutions ranked among the world’s top 500 to open branches in Bangladesh.

The minister urged residents of Kachua to give the highest priority to education while working for the overall development of the area.

The programme was presided over by Jahangir Alam Pradhan. BNP National Executive Committee member and central vice-president of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal Najmun Nahar Baby attended as a special guest.

Educationists, officials, teachers, students and other prominent personalities from Kachua were also present.

The programme also featured a reception for meritorious students from Kachua.