Photo: BSS

DHAKA, June 29, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister's Adviser on Education Dr Mahdi Amin today said the government's goal is to build an equitable, efficient and modern education system by ensuring equal opportunities for students from grassroots and marginalised communities across the country.

"With proper state planning and sustained patronage, the country's young science enthusiasts will emerge as world-class scientists, researchers and innovators in the future," he said while addressing a function as a special guest at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

The Ministry of Education organised the programme marking the nationwide tree plantation campaign at secondary educational institutions and the national-level exhibition and prize-giving ceremony of the Startup, Science Project and Innovation Idea Showcasing competition. 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the programme as the chief guest and distributed prizes among the winners of the national competition. Earlier, he inaugurated the nationwide tree plantation campaign at secondary educational institutions and visited the innovation exhibition stalls.

Prime Minister's spouse and Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation Dr Zubaida Rahman attended the programme as the guest of honour, while Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon was present as special guest.

Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, among others, were also present.

Highlighting the Prime Minister's vision for modernising the education sector, Dr Mahdi Amin said the government seeks to establish an education system that goes beyond rote learning by integrating skills, competence, culture, sports and human values.

He said every student should receive state support according to his or her talent so that they can grow not only as job seekers but also as entrepreneurs and creators of employment opportunities.

Referring to the creative initiatives undertaken by the Ziaur Rahman Foundation over the years, he said the foundation had organised various programmes, including virtual science projects, to nurture young talent at a time when similar state-sponsored initiatives were absent.

"If a private organisation can sustain such creative initiatives for years, the government should be able to undertake them on a much larger scale. It is from that vision that this national festival has been organised officially," he added.

The adviser said the government is working to reflect the commitments made in its election manifesto by ensuring equitable education opportunities across the country.

He said representatives from schools, colleges and madrasas from every union in all 64 districts participated in the programme without any geographical, religious or political discrimination.

"The remarkable participation of female students demonstrates Bangladesh's significant progress in girls' education," he added.

Praising the innovative projects that reached the finals, Dr Mahdi Amin said the government would continue to mentor the selected innovations, provide financial assistance where necessary and monitor their progress regularly so they could eventually develop into successful startups capable of generating investment and employment.

He also said efforts are being made to strengthen the bond between teachers and students by including two teachers alongside every three-member student team.

He noted that the government honoured outstanding educators with the "Meritorious Teacher Award for Quality Education" while students from more than 29,000 educational institutions simultaneously participated in the nationwide tree plantation campaign, reflecting their growing environmental awareness.

The adviser reaffirmed the Ministry of Education's commitment to supporting students with sincerity and dedication to help develop their talents.

The function was chaired by Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khalek. Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) Professor Dr Khan Mainuddin Al Mahmud Sohel delivered the welcome address.

Teachers and a large number of students from educational institutions across the country attended the programme.

The Startup, Science Project and Innovation Idea Showcasing Programme was launched nationwide on June 12 to encourage innovation, scientific research and entrepreneurial skills among students.

The competition, involving students from classes VI to XII and their teachers, was held in three phases-upazila/thana, district and national levels.

At the ceremony, the Prime Minister and Dr Zubaida Rahman presented each winning student team with a cheque for Tk 20,000, medals and certificates, while winning teachers received cheques for Tk 30,000 and certificates.

The programme was organised for the first time under the Educational Excellence Support Scheme of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) under the Ministry of Education.