Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon all not to put extra pressure on the children for studying instead of making education interesting and delightful to them.

“Extra pressure should not be put on the children for studying. All should keep in mind that the children can learn through playing, without any fear,” she said.

The PM was addressing a programme marking the inauguration of the National Primary Education Week-2019 at the city's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

Hasina requested guardians and teachers not to repeatedly ask the children to study as they could be losing their interest in learning and getting afraid of it. She said all should help the children flourish their natural talents.

“In many countries children are sent to schools at the age of seven, but in Bangladesh children are being sent to schools at their tender age. So, the guardians and teachers should be more careful about putting pressure on them.”

About her referral of a child to a school for admission, the PM said the school authorities gave the child a printed question paper to answer. “Why would the child go to the school if he could answer the question?” she asked.

Hasina directed the authorities concerned to cancel the procedure of giving printed question papers to class-I students and suggested making a proper area-wise arrangement for their admission.

Asking the guardians to refrain from getting involved in unhealthy competitions about their children's future, the premier said in many cases it was seen that there was no competition among the children, but among their guardians.

Recalling Bangabandhu's contribution to education, the PM said the father of the national had taken steps to build an illiteracy-free country by making primary education compulsory for all and education free for women.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had nationalised over 36,000 schools and the jobs of all primary teachers of those institutions as per recommendations of Qudrat-e-Khuda Education Commission, constituted by Bangabandhu in 1972, she mentioned.

“The education policy was prepared at the end of 1974 in line with recommendations of the Kudrat-e-Khuda Education Commission, but it did not come to light after the assassination of the father of the nation,” the premier added.

The Awami League, after assuming power in 1996, had taken measures for an inclusive education system, she told the programme.

The education policy was finally formulated in 2009 in line with the Qudrat-e-Khuda Education Commission report, the PM said.

“In the education policy, we have given the highest priority to primary education as the children's foundation depends on primary education.”

The government has already made computer education compulsory in secondary level and is working to make it compulsory in primary level also, Hasina said.

Multimedia classroom system has already been introduced in many areas and the entire country will be brought under the system in phases, she mentioned.

The PM said the government introduced school feeding system, gave free textbooks to students, stipend for female students and constructed schools in every two kilometres.

Describing the children as future of the nation, she said they should read attentively to be good citizens of the country.

Stressing the need for physical, mental, social and emotional development of students, Hasina said inter-primary school sports and cultural competitions were being held with participation of primary students.

She said scouting was necessary for every school to make their students disciplined.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain presided over the programme.

A video presentation on the progress and successes in primary education was screened at the function.

The PM also gave medals and certificates to the winners of Primary Education Padak in 19 categories and primary students for securing first, second and third positions in the cultural and sports competitions under 15 categories.