State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin spoke at a teachers-students gathering at Bilayet Khan High School in Lalpur. Photo : BSS

NATORE, Aug 8, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin today said the country's education system had been systematicallydestroyed during the period of fascism.

 "Students were deliberately kept away from education. As a result, having lost their mental strength and suffering from frustration, many of them fell victim to the devastating effects of online gambling and drugs," she said. 

Sharmin made the remarks as the chief guest at a teachers-students gathering held at Bilayet Khan High School in Lalpur here with school headmaster Moazzem Hossain in the chair.

The state minister said the fascist ruler deprived students of genuine education. Because, she said, with true education, students would learn to speak up, stand with their heads held high, and protest against injustice.

She said during the fascist rule, an enormous burden of studies had been placed on students forcing them to engage in a fight to achieve GPA-5 in examinations.

Unable to withstand the pressure, many students even took their own lives, she added. 

"We do not want such an education system. We want students to receive education in a joyful and supportive environment," she said.

The state minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government has taken effective measures for proper mental development of students.

Extracurricular activities have been given much importance alongside academic studies to promote students' mental and intellectual development, she said. 

Sharmin said the premier is encouraging students to engage in art, literature, culture, and sports.

To this end, the television program Notun Kuri has been introduced, she said. 

Moving beyond the boundaries of Notun Kuri's art, literature, and cultural competitions, the Notun Kuri Sports Competition has now reached across the country, she said. 

"We want students to achieve physical and mental excellence through participation in creative activities and competitions. Through their physical and mental development, we will build an intelligent and talented nation," she said.

She urged teachers to play a responsible role in improving the quality of education refraining from private tutoring. 

Additional classes should be arranged in classrooms for weaker students, she said adding that teachers must be sincere in helping turn the country's children into valuable assets, she added.

During her day-long visit, the state minister inspected ongoing development activities in Lalpur upazila. She inaugurated road improvement work in Arbab Union and development project activities in Lalpur Union.

She also addressed a meeting of the local unit of BNP. 

Among others, former chairman of Lalpur Upazila Parishad Harunar Rashid Pappu and former mayor of Gopalpur Union Parishad Nazrul Islam Molam addressed the meeting.