SANGSAD BHABAN, July 8, (v7n) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today told parliament that honorariums for primary and secondary school teachers across the country would be increased gradually, emphasising that quality education depends on well-trained and professionally dignified teachers.

Responding to a supplementary question from opposition MP Md. Abul Hasnat (Cumilla-4), the Prime Minister said: "During the authoritarian government's tenure, buildings were constructed, but no real progress was made in developing human resources." He stressed that if teachers lack proper training and professional dignity through better remuneration, quality education cannot be expected.

The Prime Minister noted that many primary teachers take on second jobs to support their families, often ending classes early. "Teachers should not be compelled to seek additional employment. Instead, they should be able to devote their full time and talents to their students. That is why increasing their honorariums is essential," he said. He added that the government plans to provide training for both primary and secondary teachers.

The current national budget allocates 2 percent of GDP to the education sector, he noted.

The parliamentary session resumed at 3pm under Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. During the Prime Minister's question-answer session, he responded to four starred and nine supplementary questions.

Replying to treasury bench MP Musammat Shammi Akther, the Prime Minister said school uniforms and bags would be provided gradually to 12 million students from Class I to V enrolled in 65,000 government primary schools.

On exporting jackfruit to China, the Prime Minister said: "During our visit to China, we signed an agreement with them. Jackfruit is a highly popular fruit in our country, and Chinese people are very fond of it. We will export Bangladeshi jackfruit to China."

He added: "Before my visit to China, I travelled to Malaysia. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told me that Malaysia exports one billion US dollars' worth of durian to China every year. If they can do it, certainly we can as well. By exporting jackfruit, we will, Insha Allah, be able to earn substantial foreign exchange."

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