A discussion meeting on improving the overall quality of education, ensuring students' regular classroom attendance and restoring discipline in educational institutions was held in Mohanpur upazila of Rajshahi on Thursday.
The Bangladesh College Teachers' Association (Bakshis), Mohanpur upazila unit, organised the meeting at the Upazila Parishad auditorium at 3:30pm, under the theme, “We will build the country through education; Bangladesh comes first.”
Md Shah Alam, president of the Bakshis Mohanpur unit and an assistant professor at Mohanpur Women's Degree College, chaired the meeting.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fahima Binte Akhtar attended as the chief guest. Assistant Professor Mofiz Uddin Sarkar, joint secretary of the association, moderated the programme.
The discussion focused on ensuring students' regular attendance, restoring discipline in educational institutions, enforcing prescribed dress codes and preventing the uncontrolled use of mobile phones in classrooms.
Speakers expressed concern over students' growing reluctance to attend classes regularly, excessive use of mobile phones and social media, and lack of attention to studies. They said these trends were adversely affecting the learning environment and examination results.
They stressed the need for year-round classroom teaching, regular assessments and proper monitoring to encourage students to remain engaged in their studies, rather than relying solely on preparations ahead of examinations.
The speakers also said improving educational standards was not solely the responsibility of teachers. Parents, school and college governing bodies, the administration and local representatives must work together to ensure quality education.
They underscored the importance of instilling moral values, discipline and patriotism among students alongside improving academic standards.
In her speech, UNO Fahima Binte Akhtar emphasised creating a student-friendly learning environment and ensuring students' regular participation in academic activities. She urged teachers and parents to play more active and responsible roles in improving educational standards.
Bakshis upazila president Assistant Professor Md Shah Alam delivered the welcome address.
Among others, speakers included Bakshis general secretary Assistant Professor Robiul Hossain; joint secretary and former general secretary of Kesharhat Municipality BNP Assistant Professor Khushbar Rahman; vice-president Assistant Professor Matiur Rahman; Upazila Krishak Dal president and teacher Golam Mostafa Babul; organising secretary Assistant Professor Jahangir Alam; joint secretary Assistant Professor Mojibur Rahman; and Assistant Professor Mofizur Rahman (Madhu) of Mohanpur Government College.
Teachers from different colleges in the upazila and members of Bakshis also attended the meeting.
