Staff Correspondent

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj announced  that listening and speaking skills will be specifically incorporated into the primary school curriculum to ensure comprehensive language acquisition.

Along with reading and writing, practical exercises and communicative activities will be integrated into textbooks and lesson plans to help young learners comprehend spoken language and articulate their thoughts effectively, the State Minister said.

He made the statements as the chief guest at the "Bangladesh TMTE (Training of Master Trainers in English) Member Conference 2026," held at the Dhaka Primary Teachers' Training Institute (PTI) on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering, State Minister Bobby Hajjaj emphasized that all four foundational language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—must receive equal instructional weight, with a heightened focus on listening comprehension at the primary level. He noted that proficiency in English is crucial. 

Highlighting broader educational reforms, the State Minister remarked that raising literacy rates alone is insufficient without building a skilled, application-oriented, and ethics-driven education system. 

Chaired by TMTE Bangladesh Chief Coordinator Riaz Parvez, the conference was attended by National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE) Director General Farid Ahmad, Directorate of Primary Education Additional Director General Md. Abdur Rahim, and British Council Bangladesh Deputy Director Maria Rehman as special guests. Senior officials, TMTE members, and education delegates were also present.