BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged teachers to extend their support to BNP in the upcoming national election so that the party can form a government to build a knowledge and merit-based state and implement its plans for national and political reforms.
Speaking virtually at a grand rally of teachers, he also said if BNP returns to power, it will set up two top-level commissions—one to nationalise teachers’ jobs and another to improve the school curriculum.
“To implement all the plans taken by BNP for the development of the state, politics and governance, spontaneous support from the people is essential. Support from the teachers, the most conscious section of society, is also needed,” Tarique said.
The BNP leader also said his party fully agrees in principle with their just demands of the teachers.
“BNP wants your support and cooperation in the upcoming national election to form a government and build a knowledge and merit-based state. BNP sincerely seeks the wholehearted cooperation of the respected teachers and employees,” he added.
The Shikkhok-Karmachari Oikya Jote, a platform of BNP-leaning teachers and employees, organised the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital to mark World Teachers’ Day.
The rally was held to press for various demands, including a non-discriminatory education system, increasing the retirement age to 65, bringing non-MPO institutions under the MPO scheme, and nationalising the jobs of teachers and employees of private institutions.
Tarique said BNP is aware of the various demands of teachers, including nationalisation of their jobs, bringing more educational institutions under the MPO scheme, and ensuring better welfare for non-government teachers.
“No matter how many reform initiatives we take in the state or politics, we will not achieve the desired results unless we modernise the education system and ensure the financial and social security and dignity of teachers,” he said.
Tarique said if BNP gets the chance to govern the country again through people’s votes, it will form a high-level commission to positively consider measures such as increasing financial security for teachers, regularising jobs, or even nationalisation, depending on the capacity of the state.
He also announced that an ‘Education Reform Commission’ will be formed on a priority basis to restructure the existing curriculum, making it more practical and vocational.
Tarique said that without reforming the education system based on ethics and social values, and without introducing job-oriented learning, it will be very hard for the nation to survive in today’s competitive world.
Stating that teachers are the real role models for students after their parents, he said if teachers themselves have to struggle for dignity in society, how can they inspire their students?
The BNP leader said his party has plans to ensure financial and social security for teachers. “We are working on ways to make the teaching profession more respected and competitive by ensuring teachers’ economic safety and dignity.”
Tarique said the teaching profession should not be seen as a last resort or just another job.
“The most talented people should feel inspired to choose teaching as their first career option. BNP is planning reforms to make this happen,” he said, adding that the nation’s image is directly linked with the dignity of its teachers.
“If we can ensure quality education at schools and colleges, and turn universities into centres of learning and research, we will be able to move forward as a nation,” the BNP leader said.
He called upon teachers to play a pivotal role in building a corruption-free society. “When corrupt people become rich, society’s image is damaged. But when teachers hold their dignity high, society’s image is strengthened.”
The BNP leader said there is a disease called corruption in the state and social system. “I firmly believe that teachers at schools, colleges, and madrasas can play a significant role in creating a social revolution against corruption.
Tarique said on Bangladesh’s Independence Day, Victory Day, and other important national days, people from various sectors of society are traditionally invited by the state to meet the President or Prime Minister at official residences and exchange greetings.
He proposed that at least one teacher from primary and secondary school should be invited to such national events at Bangabhaban or Ganobhaban.
“To guarantee this, if necessary, the warrant of precedence or a reassessment of state protocol should be carried out to uphold the prestige of teachers and teaching profession in the state and society,” the BNP leader said.
He said he firmly believes that when students see their teacher role models honoured and moving in positions of respect at the highest levels of the state, it will have an extremely positive impact on the minds of young learners.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, former state minister for education ANM Ehsanul Haq Milon, National University Vice-Chancellor Professor ASM Amanullah, and former Dhaka University Pro-VC AFM Yusuf Haider, among others, spoke at the rally.
Thousands of teachers and employees from different parts of the country attended the rally.