Staff Correspondent

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has emphasized that instead of fearing digital technology, the upcoming generation must be nurtured through its safe, responsible, and positive utilization, asserting that technological advancement cannot be halted and children must be prepared for the future by teaching them proper usage rather than keeping them away from it.

He made these remarks while serving as the chief guest at the national learning and experience-sharing event titled "Digital Gender Norms in Digital Spaces," organized by BBC Media Action at Hotel Lakeshore in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Tuesday.

Reflecting on the July 2024 mass uprising, the State Minister noted that attempts to suppress the people's voices by shutting down the internet ultimately failed, proving instead that digital media has become an inseparable part of society, state, and civic life. Consequently, he stated that rather than denying technology, building the capacity to use it correctly is now of paramount importance.

Addressing existing societal gaps, the State Minister observed a clear dissonance between rapid technological growth and traditional social-cultural values, stressing that education, families, society, and the state must work collectively to bridge this divide. He highlighted the urgent need to train children and adolescents in safe digital behavior, information verification, and online ethics.

Expressing deep concern over the alarming rise of fake photos, manipulated videos, character assassination, and digital harassment on social media—which disproportionately target women, adolescent girls, and female politicians—he asserted that implementing effective laws and policies to ensure accountability on digital platforms and protect women and children is a demand of the time

Detailing curricular reforms, he announced that the government is incorporating value-based education, digital safety, life skills, gender sensitivity, and civic values as vital components of the new curriculum for primary education, working in coordination with domestic and foreign experts, UNESCO, and various development partners.

Emphasizing that ensuring the safe development of children is a collective societal responsibility rather than solely that of parents, the State Minister pointed out that community engagement in primary schools is being expanded.

Representatives from BBC Media Action, teachers, students, and guardians from Khulna and Savar educational institutions, as well as representatives from UN Women, Plan International, Jago Foundation, other NGOs, and journalists, attended the event.