Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said those involved in supplying substandard textbooks will face exemplary punishment.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled “People’s Thoughts on the Development of Kachua”, organised by the Kachua Upazila Association in Dhaka, at the International Mother Language Institute on Saturday.

Speaking about the preparation, printing and distribution of textbooks, the minister said there would be no compromise on the quality of textbooks.

“The substandard books that have already been found have been cancelled and destroyed. Those involved in supplying substandard books will be given exemplary punishment,” he said.

He said no concession would be made in maintaining quality in textbook printing.

“There will be no compromise on paper, ink, printing presses or other matters. The Prime Minister wants the country’s printing industry to develop, so no foreign company has been given printing work this year. We have been able to print quality books on time in the past, and I hope we will be able to do so in the future as well, InshaAllah,” he said.

The minister said the mid-day meal programme is currently being implemented in primary schools in 150 upazilas to ensure quality education.

“The programme will be expanded across the country in the future,” he said.

He said students would be able to buy their meals from school canteens using coupons under the programme in the future.

He also said plans had been taken to add more food items to the menu.

The minister also said sports and cultural books would be introduced in the fourth grade.

“We are preparing a new curriculum with emphasis on technical education. There is no alternative to developing human resources amid the changing global situation,” he said.

He also outlined plans to establish technical schools and colleges in every upazila, saying a third language would be introduced at these institutions.

The minister said two sets of examination question papers would be prepared at two separate locations in the future — one by the Bangladesh Government Press (BG Press) and the other by the Army Security Printing Press.

“Examinations will be held on time so that students do not lose time from their lives due to the examination process, while disruptions caused by monsoon-related disasters will also be avoided,” he said.

He said changes had been made to the re-evaluation process of examination answer scripts based on practical considerations.

“We are going to introduce a cross-border education system with the aim of turning Bangladesh into an education hub. The university law will be amended to allow foreign educational institutions ranked among the top 500 by international standards to open branches in Bangladesh if they wish to do so,” he said.

The minister urged everyone in Kachua to give the highest priority to education while working for the overall development of the area.

The programme was presided over by Jahangir Alam Pradhan.

BNP National Executive Committee member and central vice-president of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal Najmun Nahar Baby attended the programme as a special guest.

Eminent personalities, educationists, officials, teachers and students from Kachua were also present.

The programme also included a reception for meritorious students of Kachua.