DHAKA- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government is working to make teaching a first-choice profession for meritorious people by reforming teacher recruitment and the education system.

“Teaching can never be a profession of last resort or merely another job. Rather, we are reshaping teacher recruitment and the education system to ensure that the most meritorious people choose teaching as their first choice of profession,” he said. The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium here marking World Teachers’ Day 2026 and honouring selected teachers from primary to higher education levels with the national ‘Eminent Teacher Award’.

Tarique Rahman said, “We believe that the dignity of the state is linked to the honour and dignity of teachers in the state and society. If the dignity of teachers remains intact in society, the image of the state is enhanced.”

This year’s theme of World Teachers’ Day is: “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Enhancing Dignity and Shaping Our Future.”

The Prime Minister expressed his profound respect to teachers of all primary and secondary schools, colleges, madrasas, technical institutions and universities across the country, and congratulated those who received the ‘Eminent Teacher Award’ for their merit and competence.

He said if teachers could become the “need and loved ones” of their students, it would be easier for the students to face global challenges as responsible citizens through education.

Referring to teachers as “ideal role models” for every student after they move beyond the family school, Tarique Rahman said the government is formulating and implementing plans so that teachers can confidently present themselves as role models before their students.

In the era of rapid development of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), he said, there is no alternative to technical and practical education beyond conventional teaching methods.

“So, changing the strategies of learning and teaching and modernising the education curriculum is the demand of the time,” he said.

The government has formulated a new curriculum based on the realities of the time, and students will receive textbooks based on the new curriculum within this year, the Premier said, adding that the methods of learning and teaching are extremely important to ensure that students do not become alienated from books.

“Instead of mere memorisation, we have to raise the questions of ‘why’ and ‘how’ in the minds of students. If curiosity is created, a student can become his or her own teacher,” he continued.

Tarique Rahman said “joyful learning” has become popular across the world, particularly among school students.

For the first time in Bangladesh, he said, the Ministry of Education is providing sixth-grade students with a new book titled “Learning with Happiness”. Similar books will be introduced for other grades in phases.

The prime minister said the education system currently faces both immense opportunities and major challenges. Artificial intelligence has opened up vast opportunities for acquiring knowledge, while technical and practical knowledge has become indispensable instead of certificate-based knowledge, he added.

Referring to the new challenges created for teachers by rapid advances in information technology, Tarique Rahman said teachers’ training colleges need to be further modernised to meet the challenges of the time.

“We do not want to see technology as a substitute for teachers. Rather, technology will be the strength of teachers,” he said, adding that the government is advancing the “One Teacher, One Tab” programme to this end.

The prime minister said teachers would be able to use digital lesson plans, question banks, students’ learning progress data and necessary teaching materials through their tablets. Multimedia classrooms are also being
expanded at educational institutions across the country, while free Wi-Fi facilities are being increased, he added.

The Premier said the government wants to build an education system where no child is deprived of education.”It is also essential to ensure that even if someone drops out at any stage of their educational life for any reason, they do not remain unemployed,” he said.

Describing education as the biggest priority of the incumbent government, Tarique Rahman said the highest-ever allocation for education has been made in the national budget for the first time in the country’s history and the allocation will be increased gradually.

Highlighting the scale of secondary education, he said there are currently around 21,000 institutions at the secondary level, where more than 300,000 teachers are providing education to millions of students.

“Much of secondary education depends on private and MPO-listed institutions,” he said.

“There is still some disparity between urban and rural areas in terms of educational opportunities,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the government has various plans to ensure that students in both urban and rural
areas have access to skilled teachers and modern technology.

Describing the government’s approach to reforming the education system, he said its core foundations are equal opportunities, quality education and non-discriminatory access.

Tarique Rahman said employment-oriented education is necessary, but employment is not the sole purpose of education. “Moral and character development is also one of the key objectives of education. If knowledge is not linked with morality, it can become a cause of harm rather than benefit to society,” he continued.

Urging teachers to make truthfulness, a sense of responsibility, empathy, patriotism, humanity, discipline and respect for others integral parts of education, he said teachers play the most important role after families in
instilling moral values in students.

Highlighting various government measures to ensure teachers’ financial security and make teaching a more dignified and competitive profession, the Prime Minister said the government is working particularly for teachers at the primary, secondary and higher-secondary levels.

He further said the President and the Prime Minister invite people from different professions and sections of society to state functions at national occasions, including Independence Day and Victory Day.

“From this year, based on a policy, the concerned authorities are being instructed to make it mandatory to invite at least one teacher each from primary and secondary schools to such events,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said a teacher, whether serving or retired, remains worthy of the state’s respect throughout his or her life because of the noble profession.

Mentioning instructions to end harassment of teachers in receiving salaries and retirement benefits, he said a teacher should not have to visit offices and suffer hardship merely to receive salary or retirement benefits.

“The money due to a teacher must reach their bank account on time and in accordance with the rules,” he said. The Premier said the country’s teachers are one of the key instruments for building a knowledge-based state and society. World Teachers’ Day is observed globally on October 5 every year to highlight the importance of teachers’ dignity, rights, professional development and ensuring quality education.

Chaired by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon, it was also addressed, among others, by National Professor Dr Mahbub Ullah, Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Education Md Selim Bhuiyan.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today asked the authorities concerned to expedite the construction of the inner circular road to ease traffic congestion in the capital. He gave the instruction while chairing a meeting at his Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat to review progress in the construction of the Inner Circular Road in the capital, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

The prime minister asked the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and the Local Government Division to jointly review the existing project plan and take steps to expedite the construction work.

The deputy press secretary said Tarique Rahman stressed identifying and removing the existing obstacles to implementing the project at the earliest, ensuring effective coordination among the agencies concerned and setting a realistic timeframe for completing the work. He also asked the authorities to ensure visible progress in the project at the earliest.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Habibur Rashid, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, among senior officials concerned, attended the meeting.

PARSHURAM, Feni – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today inaugurated the Tk1,542.16-crore Muhuri-Kohua Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project rehabilitation(Phase I) at Feni aiming to strengthen flood protection, drainage and irrigation facilities in the district. The Prime Minister inaugurated the project at around 2.17 pm today at the Kheyaghat Ghat-Muhuri Bridge area in Parshuram upazila and later exchanged greetings with local people at the venue.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project on June 16 at an estimated cost of Tk1,542.16 crore. Under the project, 67.92 kilometres of flood-control embankments will be rehabilitated, 11.73 kilometres of riverbanks protected and 83.50 kilometres of rivers and water bodies re-excavated. Besides, 27 irrigation structures will be rehabilitated and 77 inlets will be constructed under the project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2030.

In its next phase, there are plans to construct new embankments along the Muhuri and Kohua rivers and undertake embankment construction, excavation and rehabilitation works along the Silonia River. Environment, Forest and Climate change Minister and Feni-3 Lawmaker Abdul Awal Mintoo, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, Feni-1 Lawmaker Rafiqul Alam Maznu, Feni-2 Lwmaker Joynal Abedin, Lawmaker Rehana Akter Ranu, among other, were present on the occasion.

Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived in Feni at around 1:15pm on his daylong tour to attend a series of programmes. After inaugurating the Muhuri-Kohua project in Parshuram, he is scheduled to travel to Fulgazi, where he will join a tree-planting programme at Begum Khaleda Zia Women’s College. He will later visit the Fulgazi District Council Dak Bungalow, where he will inaugurate the supply of electricity to the national grid from the rooftop solar power system installed at the facility.

The Prime Minister will then rest and offer prayers at the Dak Bungalow. Later in the afternoon, he will attend a programme at Fulgazi Government Pilot High School ground, where he will distribute Family Cards and Farmer Cards and provide honorariums to mosque imams, muezzins, khadims and priests. He is also scheduled to address a public gathering at the venue before returning to Dhaka in the evening.

Under a government initiative, solar systems with a combined capacity of 962.5 kilowatts have been installed on government buildings in Fulgazi, Parshuram and Chhagalnaiya upazilas, including 415 kilowatts in Chhagalnaiya, 298 kilowatts in Parshuram and 249 kilowatts in Fulgazi. A total of 510 people in Fulgazi are set to receive Family Cards, while 7,643 people across Feni district will receive Farmer Cards. Honorariums will also be provided to 238 imams, muezzins, khadims and priests in Fulgazi.

Tarique Rahman’s maternal grandfather Easkandar Majumder’s ancestral home is in Sreepur village of Fulgazi upazila in Feni. Feni-1 constituency also has a longstanding association with his mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who was elected from the constituency several times since 1991.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the Bangabhaban here this afternoon. Upon the arrival of the Prime Minister at the Bangabhaban at 3 pm, the President welcomed him at the Octagonal and introduced his Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, President’s Press Secretary Md. Sarwar Alam told KHABOR.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed the President on his recent visit to the United States, participation in the UNGA session, sideline meetings with heads of the states, UN high officials, and economic and development partners and appraised him of the government’s overall activities. The President congratulated the Prime Minister on his address at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, describing it as “visionary, resolute and guiding”.

He said the speech reflected Bangladesh’s national interests and aspirations and clearly articulated the country’s positions on major global issues. The President expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s UNGA address, sidelined meetings would further enhance Bangladesh’s dignity and position in the international arena.

“The visit played an important role in further consolidating and strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the international arena, protecting public interests, and expanding bilateral and multilateral relations,” he said.

They also exchanged views on various issues related to national and state interest. The President thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the Bangabhaban. The visit marked the Prime Minister’s first official meeting at the Bangabhaban after President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir assumed the office.

DHAKA — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called for further expansion of bilateral trade, investment and development cooperation between Bangladesh and China. He made the remarks during a farewell meeting with outgoing Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen at the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu, the meeting discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including the Rohingya crisis. During the meeting, Yao Wen congratulated Tarique Rahman on his participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and his various engagements in New York.

The Chinese ambassador reaffirmed China’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development efforts and expressed hope that bilateral relations between the two countries would be further strengthened. The meeting also underscored the importance of expanding economic engagement between Bangladesh and China, particularly in trade, investment and development cooperation.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun were present at the meeting. Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy Liu Yuyin accompanied the outgoing ambassador.