Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called upon all not to exert additional pressure on the tender-hearted children for studying instead of giving them education with joy.

‘Additional pressure shouldn’t be put on tender-hearted children for studying. It should be taken care by all that the children can get education amid cheerfulness and play and without having fear,’ she said while inaugurating the National Primary Education Week, 2019 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre here, the BSS reported.

She requested all the guardians and teachers for not indiscriminately asking the children for ‘study’, ‘study’ and ‘study’ as they can be losing their interest in learning and getting frightened of it, saying, ‘All should help the children to flourish their usual talents.’

‘In many countries children are sent to schools at the age of seven, but in Bangladesh children are being sent at their tender ages. So, the guardians and teachers should be more careful about giving additional pressure on them,’ she also said.

Speaking about her referral of a child to a school for admission, she said that the school authorities gave the child a printed question paper to answer. The prime minister posed a question saying, if the child could answer the question why the kid should go to the school?

The premier asked all concerned to cancel the procedure of giving printed question papers to class one students and suggested making area-wise proper arrangement for admission of children.

Sheikh Hasina also asked the guardians to refrain themselves from getting involved in unhealthy competition about their children’s future and said in many cases it has been witnessed that there is no competition among the children but it exists among the guardians.

State Minister for Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Md Zakir Hossain presided over the function while its secretary Md. Akram-Al-Hossain gave the welcome address.

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and former Minister Mostafizur Rahman spoke on the occasion.

A video presentation on progress and success regarding primary education in the country was also screened at the function.

The premier also distributed medals and certificates among the recipients of ‘Primary Education Padak ‘, in 19 categories and students of primacy schools for securing first, second and third position in the cultural and sports competitions in 15 categories.

Director General (DG) of Directorate of Primary Education Dr AFM Manzur Kadir moderated the medal and certificate distributing part of the function.