State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku today spoke at at Ichapur Sher-e-Bangla High School at Kalihati. Photo : BSS

TANGAIL, Aug 01, 2026 (BSS)- State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku today said the government is giving highest priority to improve the quality of education. 

“Alongside the academic studies, measures have been taken to enable students to participate in co-curricular activities and prepare themselves for diverse career opportunities in the future”, he said while responding to the questions from journalists after inaugurating the Mid-Day Meal programme and attending a guardians' meeting at Ichapur Sher-e-Bangla High School at Kalihati upazila here.

Describing the Mid-Day Meal initiative as timely step, Tuku said it would play an important role in ensuring students' nutrition, increasing school attendance and improving the overall learning environment.

"If everyone performs their responsibilities sincerely from their respective positions, the country will move further ahead," he said.

The State Minister stressed that improvement of the education system must begin at the primary level. He said that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had introduced free education for female students up to Class XII which later extended up to the degree level in public institutions. 

He also noted that the present government has introduced various scholarship programmes and emphasized that reforms in education should begin at the fundamental level and gradually expand across all stages.

Highlighting the government's focus on students’ nutrition, Tuku said plans have been undertaken to ensure that schoolchildren receive protein-rich food, adding that the necessary measures are being implemented for this.

Speaking about the government's anti-drug campaign, the State Minister said narcotics would not be allowed to spread in Tangail under any circumstances.

"We will take the strongest possible action against drugs. Everyone must unite to resist the menace that is destroying our youth and students," he said.

He observed that parents often make enormous sacrifices for their children's education, with many families selling paddy, land or livestock to meet educational expenses.

"If those children become addicted to drugs, all the sacrifices made by their families go in vain. Therefore, families, educational institutions and society as a whole must work together to build awareness against drug abuse," he added.

The programme was chaired by journalist Abdul Razzak, president of the school's adhoc committee. Among others, local Member of Parliament Lutfur Rahman Motin, Kalihati Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Akter and the school's headmaster Abdul Mannan Molla addressed the gathering.

After the event, the guests visited the school's multimedia classroom, inspected the Mid-Day Meal programme and observed the distribution of meals among the students.

Local public representatives, political leaders, government officials, teachers, students, guardians, members of the school managing committee and other distinguished residents were also present.