Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday sought the support of primary school teachers in building a "humane Bangladesh", stressing that alongside academic learning, children must be taught moral values, compassion, culture and responsibility towards nature from an early age.

"If we want to build a humane Bangladesh, we must first raise our children as humane people. You (teachers) are the architects who are shaping those future citizens," he said while addressing the Primary Education Medal-2026 award ceremony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon.

The Prime Minister said the day's events including the nationwide tree plantation campaign, exhibitions by schools from across the country and cultural performances by primary school students convinced him that Bangladesh was nurturing the generation that would build the country's future.

"It felt to me as if I entered a factory that produces the builders of tomorrow's Bangladesh," he said.

Earlier in the day, the PM inaugurated a nationwide tree plantation programme by planting a sapling at the venue under the Green School initiative.

Nearly 200,000 saplings were planted simultaneously across the country through the participation of government primary schools.

He also spent around one and a half hours visiting stalls set up by schools from 60 districts where students and teachers showcased innovative classroom practices, creative projects, joyful learning activities, digital education initiatives and local cultural heritage.

Referring to the government's election pledge, Tarique Rahman said strengthening primary education remained one of its highest priorities, describing primary schools, teachers and students as the three key pillars of nation-building.

He said the government is working to address teachers' problems while improving their professional skills through better training.

"If we can provide our primary teachers with proper training, they will pass that knowledge on to children and help build a strong educational foundation from the very beginning," the PM said.

He praised schools for introducing the concept of "Learning with Happiness", saying he had witnessed its successful implementation at almost every stall he visited.

Tarique Rahman thanked teachers across the country for embracing the approach and said the government would work to expand it further.

He stressed that schools should not focus only on textbooks but also on teaching ethics, discipline and social values.

The PM said primary teachers had the greatest opportunity to instill values such as honesty, respect, responsibility and discipline in children from an early age.

"If we can nurture ethics and values in our children, we will gradually become a disciplined and stronger nation," he said.

Tarique Rahman said the government also wants to include family, social and religious values more effectively in future curricula and sought teachers' cooperation in that effort.

He also underlined the importance of cultural activities and sports in children's development, saying education alone was not enough to build confident and capable citizens.

The PM encouraged schools to organise more cultural programmes, debates, poetry recitation, music and sports, saying physical activity improves children's health, sharpens their minds and helps them become more creative.

Addressing schoolchildren, he urged every child to plant at least one tree every year during the monsoon until reaching adulthood.

Tarique Rahman said children should also learn about the species they plant, its lifespan, environmental importance and the benefits it provides to people.

"As you grow up, your tree will grow with you. One day you will sit under its shade, read books there and spend time with your friends," he said.

The PM said the government plans to plant 25 crore trees across the country over the next five years to improve the environment and ecological balance.

He also urged children to develop compassion for animals, saying kindness towards all living beings is an essential part of building a humane society.

The PM proposed encouraging groups of students to look after pets or domestic animals, such as chickens, ducks, rabbits, goats, cats or dogs, saying such activities would help children develop empathy, responsibility and love for nature.

"We want children to grow up caring not only for trees but also for animals and all living things. That is how we can build a humane Bangladesh," he said.

Highlighting the government's commitment to girls' education, Tarique Rahman announced that female students would be able to study free of tuition up to honours level under a new government decision.

He also said scholarships would be introduced for meritorious female students pursuing higher education.

Calling upon teachers to continue guiding children with dedication, Tarique Rahman said they were the true builders of the country's future.

"The soldiers who will build tomorrow's Bangladesh are sitting in your classrooms today. You are the ones shaping them. Help us build a humane Bangladesh," the Prime Minister said.

The programme, organised by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, began with the national anthem, followed by recitations from the Holy Quran, the Gita, the Tripitaka and the Bible.

The event included debates, songs, dances and other cultural performances presented by primary school students.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, Prime Minister's Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education Dr Mahdi Amin and Primary and Mass Education Secretary Md Shakhawat Hossain also addressed the programme.