Khaleda ZiaThree-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ...
yesterday called upon all to forge a united anti-government movement to protect the country from a disaster.
"Please come together to save the country, people and education system from disaster. Nothing will be achieved through isolated movements," she told at a discussion at the auditorium of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the city.
Shikshak Karmachari Oikya Jote (SKOJ), a pro-BNP teachers' organization, hosted the event to mark "National Teachers' Day" as observed by the pro-BNP teachers on the birthday of BNP's founder late president Ziaur Rahman.
The country is now in deep crisis and the education sector is no exception, mentioned Khaleda. "The whole education sector is in trouble. A huge number of qualified teachers are losing their jobs due to politicisation. Even teachers are being assaulted."
Incompetent party leaders are running the governing bodies of private educational institutions, complained the leader of the opposition adding, discrimination between rural and urban areas is growing as regards the scope and quality of education.
Prices of educational items have increased a lot and the students are staging a movement demanding cut in additional fees, but the government is repressing them, she maintained.
Describing the steps taken during her government's time, Khaleda said, "I always stood beside you [teachers] to support your struggle and demands and this will continue in future. I hope you will also come forward to join the movement to end the national crisis."
The former prime minister pledged to nationalise the jobs of the teachers and employees of the non-government schools if her party is voted to power.
She also urged all to join the March 12 grand rally in the city.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, former education minister Dr Osman Farruk, Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman, Dhaka University teacher Prof Sadrul Amin, among others, addressed the meeting, with SKOJ president Selim Bhuiyan in the chair.