PM directs nationwide push to promote student reading habits

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed authorities to take steps to promote reading habits among students across Bangladesh.

He issued the directive on Thursday during a meeting at the Secretariat with representatives of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro and ministers responsible for education, primary and mass education, and cultural affairs.

According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, the government has decided to work jointly with Bishwo Shahitto Kendro to expand reading programmes nationwide. The discussion focused on encouraging book reading among students at primary, secondary and higher secondary levels.

The meeting included Bishwo Shahitto Kendro founder Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, and the Prime Minister’s advisers Mahdi Amin and Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, among others.

Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said the meeting examined ways to develop the habit of reading books among students and to expand existing programmes across the country.

The initiative follows an earlier meeting on 7 April between the Prime Minister and Professor Abu Sayeed, where the two sides discussed potential collaboration between the government and Bishwo Shahitto Kendro to strengthen reading initiatives.