Values-based edu stressed

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Tuesday said the government is prioritising values-based education, community engagement and digital safety to prepare children for the opportunities and challenges of the digital era.

Addressing the “Digital Gender Norms: National Learning Exchange” organised by BBC Media Action at Hotel Lakeshore in Gulshan, he said technology should not be feared but embraced through safe, responsible and constructive use.

“The advancement of technology cannot be stopped. Rather than keeping children away from digital tools, we must equip them with the knowledge and skills to use them safely and responsibly,” he said.

Referring to the July 2024 mass uprising, Hajjaj said efforts to suppress public voices by shutting down internet services had failed, demonstrating that digital platforms have become an indispensable part of modern society and democratic engagement. He stressed that strengthening digital literacy and responsible online behaviour should therefore be a national priority.

The state minister expressed concern over the widening gap between rapid technological advancement and traditional social values, saying schools, families, communities and the state must work together to promote ethical digital behaviour, media literacy, fact-checking and online safety among children and adolescents.

He also warned that the spread of manipulated images, fake videos, character assassination and online harassment has become increasingly common, with women, adolescent girls and female political leaders among the primary victims. He called for stronger accountability on digital platforms and effective enforcement of laws to ensure the protection of women and children.