Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday announced government plans to encourage reading habits among children while reducing their dependence on mobile phones and excessive use of digital devices.
He made the remarks during a visit to the historic Jashore Institute Public Library in the afternoon, where he spoke with local citizens and stakeholders.
“We want to develop the practice of reading books. We want to bring children out of mobile phones and into playgrounds and books. This is our plan,” the Prime Minister said.
He acknowledged that the success of the initiative would depend on implementation but expressed optimism about public support.
“How successful we will be is a different matter, but we want to start the work. Seeing people like you encourages me. I feel inspired that there are still book lovers. I believe we will succeed,” he added.
Tarique Rahman said the government would seek active cooperation from citizens and institutions to promote reading nationwide. He mentioned collaboration with organisations such as Bishwo Shahitto Kendro to strengthen the initiative.
“We will need your support. The government will begin this work, and together with organisations like Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, we aim to expand reading habits across the country,” he said.
He further explained plans to select two primary schools in each upazila where books would be provided to students. These would include non-political educational materials designed to broaden children’s understanding of religion, life, and the world.
The Prime Minister also said reading activities would be integrated into academic assessment.
“We will gradually build reading habits by providing books. Questions in examinations will be based on these materials so students are evaluated on what they read,” he noted.
He also held discussions with officials of the Jashore Institute Public Library during the visit.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the 500-bed Jashore Medical College Hospital building before visiting the library and touring its historic facilities.
Established in 1851, the Jashore Public Library is among the oldest in Bangladesh and South Asia. It was formed during the early development of the public library movement in the Indian subcontinent. Historical records note that Jashore Town Hall was built in 1904 and Arya Theatre in 1919. In 1927, Rai Bahadur Jatindranath Majumder merged these institutions with the library and Town Club to create a unified cultural centre, which later evolved into the Jashore Institute Public Library.
Several ministers, state ministers, and senior officials including Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, State Ministers Forhad Hossain Azad and Aninda Islam Amit, along with Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, were present during the visit.
