Information minister urges students to focus on moral values alongside academics

BARISHAL, July 12: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP, urged teachers, guardians and students to work together to ensure quality education, instil moral values and foster patriotism among students, while calling on all to sincerely contribute to making the most of the government's development initiatives.

He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony as the chief guest to lay the foundation stone of a four-storey academic building at Nalchira Secondary School in Gournadi Upazila on Saturday morning.

Speaking at the event, the minister said educational institutions are "beacons of knowledge" from which the light of learning spreads throughout society, while teachers serve as the torchbearers of that knowledge. He said teachers' experience and expertise should be recognised as a driving force for social development.

After laying the foundation stone, Swapon planted a sapling on the school premises.

Expressing optimism about the project, he said the new academic building would help make the school's educational activities more dynamic and improve the learning environment.

The minister also criticised the practice of categorising students based on grades or class positions, saying it confines them to a "mental prison" and undermines their creativity and self-confidence.

"True education is education that promotes free thinking, where every student has the opportunity to develop their abilities and talents," he said.

He stressed that alongside textbook-based learning, students should also receive education in human values and ethics to help build responsible citizens.

Swapan also emphasised the importance of sports, saying students should actively participate in physical activities alongside their studies to ensure their physical and mental development.

He said sports not only help maintain good health but also foster discipline, teamwork and leadership qualities among students.
The programme was chaired by Nalchira Secondary School Headmaster Md Nurul Alam.

Among the special guests were Executive Engineer of the Barishal Education Engineering Department Md Shahidul Islam, Officer-in-Charge Md Afzal Hossain, former school managing committee president Abdul Sattar Mridha, and managing committee member Al Mamun Swapan.
Members of the school's managing committee, teachers, students, political leaders and journalists were also present.