Afzalur Rahman Ripon, Brahmanbaria

A views-exchange meeting focusing on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) to ensure quality primary education was held on Monday, at the PTI Hall Room in Brahmanbaria, organized by the District Primary Education Office.

Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Secretary Md. Sakhawat Hossain attended the event as the chief guest.

District Primary Education Officer Md. Shamsur Rahman presided over the meeting and delivered the welcome speech.

Special guests included Md. Nurul Islam (Kajal), Divisional Deputy Director of Primary Education for Chattogram Division; Md. Taleb Hossain, Additional District Commissioner for Education and ICT; and Md. Mofijul Islam Khan, Superintendent (In-Charge) of PTI Brahmanbaria.

Conducted by PTI Instructor Momtaz Shahana Ferdous, the meeting featured speeches by Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila Primary Education Officer Safia Begum, the Upazila Primary Education Officer of Kasba, Fatema Dinar, head teacher of Medda Purba Government Primary School; Iqbal Hossain Khandaker, head teacher of Adarsha Kindergarten (Model) Government Primary School; and Mohammad Mostafa Delowar, head teacher of Urshiura Government Primary School.

The gathering was also attended by the Secretary's Private Secretary from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Additional Superintendent of PTI Brahmanbaria Mohammad Masuduzzaman, primary education officers from various upazilas, PTI instructors, assistant upazila primary education officers, head teachers of all government primary schools in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila, along with education enthusiast, journalist, and former member of the Dhaka City Primary Education Committee Afzalur Rahman Ripon.

During the session, the chief guest provided vital directives on ensuring primary-level students acquire essential reading, writing, and basic mathematical skills, effectively implementing FLN activities, and fulfilling responsibilities to guarantee quality primary education. He urged all stakeholders to work in a coordinated manner to improve students' learning outcomes and achieve quality education.

Expressing concern, the secretary remarked that ninety percent of teachers lack dedication. He noted that while children in Bangladesh are more talented than those in many other countries, they lag behind developed nations by five steps.