Rajshahi:Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury emphasized the critical need for improving education quality and fostering a culture of reading among youth to develop skilled human resources. He conveyed these points during the inauguration of the Rajshahi Divisional Book Fair at the Collectorate Field.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chowdhury highlighted the gap between institutional degrees and practical skills among young people, attributing this mismatch to factors contributing to unemployment. He expressed concern about the quality of education and its role in rising youth unemployment, which also opens avenues for drug abuse.
Chowdhury reiterated the government's commitment to reforming the education system, noting that nearly a quarter of the national budget is allocated to the Ministry of Education for this purpose. Efforts include recruiting meritorious teachers and enhancing their remuneration to ensure quality education.
He urged parents, educators, and communities to encourage children to read, engage in sports, and participate in cultural activities, which are crucial for their holistic development. The ongoing nine-day book fair, organized by the Jatiya Grantha Kendra under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, features 89 stalls from various publishers and aims to promote reading habits and interaction among the literary community.
The fair, attended by notable figures such as Advocate Mohammad Shafiqul Haque Milon, MP, and Professor Nazrul Islam, MP, will run until November 6, with daily events including seminars, competitions, and cultural programs. Organizers hope the event will foster a stronger reading culture and creative publishing among the youth.