State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit attended as the chief guest at a programme at Sacred Heart Secondary School in Jashore. Photo : BSS

JASHORE, Aug 28, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit today said the government is giving priority to extracurricular activities alongside academic education to help students develop their skills and compete with the rest of the world.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme at Sacred Heart Secondary School in Jashore this afternoon, organised to inaugurate the school team participating in the Prime Minister's Gold Cup football tournament, accord a reception to meritorious students and distribute prizes among them.

Amit said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is placing emphasis on introducing a third language, in addition to Bangla and English, at the school level to enable students to compete internationally.

Referring to the government's allocation for the education sector, the state minister said 2 percent of GDP has so far been allocated to education, which had never been done in the past.

He said the allocation would be gradually increased to 5 percent of GDP.

Amit also stressed the need to expand the school's science and computer laboratories and enrich its library to facilitate quality education.

As a former student of the school, he assured the authorities of extending all-out cooperation in implementing the initiatives.

District BNP President Advocate Syed Saberul Haque Sabu and the party's General Secretary and Zila Parishad Administrator Delwar Hossain Khan Khokon attended the programme as special guests.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Khan Masum Billah and school governing body member Rajidur Rahman Sagar also spoke at the programme, chaired by Sacred Heart Secondary School Head Teacher Veronica Jamuna Rosario.