Khulna: Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain announced that a temple-based child and mass education programme will significantly contribute to the education of children in rural and marginalized areas. He emphasized that scholarships will be given to children from underprivileged families to support their educational pursuits. Dr. Hossain made these remarks while serving as the chief guest at a workshop held at the Khulna District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the workshop was organized by the Khulna district office of the Temple-Based Education and Mass Literacy Programme (6th Phase). The event, titled 'The Role of the Temple-Based Child and Mass Education Programme in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals and Promoting Moral Education,' aimed to highlight the importance of these educational initiatives. Dr. Hossain noted that temple-based education has been a longstanding tradition, serving as centers for educational activities from ancient times to the present.
Dr. Hossain further mentioned that the government has already constructed temples and bathing ghats in Taherpur, Sunamganj, using state funds. He added that there are plans to provide financial aid to underprivileged temples. Additionally, he recommended the installation of solar panels in temples to conserve electricity.
The event was presided over by Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam. Other notable attendees included Dr. Srikanta Kumar Chand, Project Director of the 6th Phase of the Temple-Based Education and Mass Literacy Programme, Sadeq Ahmad, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Md. Asinuzzaman Sikder, Divisional Director of the Islamic Foundation Khulna, who also addressed the gathering as special guests.
Satyananda Dutta, Trustee of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, delivered the welcome speech, and a concept paper was presented by Priyanka Sikder, Assistant Project Director of the Temple-Based Education and Mass Literacy Programme (6th Phase).
A total of 290 teachers from temple-based child and mass education centers across nine upazilas of Khulna district participated in the workshop. In the evening, Dr. Hossain also visited the Japchharia Model Madrasa in Bagharpara Upazila of Jashore and attended a meeting with students and teachers.