Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Saturday said there will be no compromise on the quality of textbooks to be distributed in 2027, warning that exemplary punishment will be awarded to those involved in supplying substandard books. 

“Already, the substandard books that were found have been cancelled and destroyed. There will be no minimum compromise on the quality of textbook printing. There will be no compromise over paper, ink or printing presses,” he said.

The minister was addressing a discussion titled “People’s Thoughts on the Development of Kachua” organised by Kachua Upazila Samity, Dhaka, at the International Mother Language Institute here as the chief guest.

He said the government would ensure that quality textbooks reach students on time, as it had done in the past.

Milon said the government has introduced a ‘Mid-Day Meal’ programme in primary schools of 150 upazilas to ensure quality education, and plans to expand it nationwide.

He said a coupon system is also being planned to allow students to buy food of their choice from school canteens. The government will add new food items to the menu and decentralise food supply to encourage local economies and entrepreneurs, with the system to be piloted in several districts before being expanded nationwide, he said.

The minister said examinations would be held at designated times, while the schedules would be arranged to avoid disruptions caused by monsoon-related disasters. 

To enhance examination security, two sets of question papers will be printed at two separate locations -- the Bangladesh Government Press (BG Press) and the Army Security Printing Press, he said.

He also said practical changes had been made to the process of re-evaluating examination scripts.

The minister said sports and cultural books would be introduced in Class Four, while technical schools and colleges would be established in every upazila under a new technical curriculum, with a third foreign language to be introduced there.

He also said an initiative has been taken to establish a technical school in Saudi Arabia.

Milon said the government is moving to introduce a “cross-border education system” to turn Bangladesh into an international education hub.

Under the proposed system, the University Act would be amended to allow foreign educational institutions ranked among the world's top 500 to open branches in Bangladesh, subject to approval, he added.

Chaired by Kachua Upazila Samity President Jahangir Alam Pradhan, it was also addressed by BNP National Executive Committee member and central vice-president of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal Nazmun Nahar Baby.

Prominent educationists, officials, teachers, students and guardians from Kachua were also present. The programme concluded with a reception for meritorious students.