Aug 01 (v7n) - State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving education quality, emphasizing that students should be given opportunities to engage in co-curricular activities alongside academics to prepare for diverse future careers.

Speaking to journalists after inaugurating the Mid-Day Meal programme and attending a guardians' meeting at Ichapur Sher-e-Bangla High School in Kalihati, Tangail, Tuku described the meal initiative as a timely step that will boost student nutrition, increase school attendance, and enhance the overall learning environment.

He stressed that education reform must begin at the primary level, noting that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia introduced free education for female students up to Class XII, later extended to degree level in public institutions. The current government, he added, has introduced various scholarship programmes and is working to expand reforms across all educational stages.

On student nutrition, Tuku said plans are underway to ensure schoolchildren receive protein-rich food.

The state minister also spoke firmly against drug abuse, vowing that narcotics would not be allowed to spread in Tangail. "We will take the strongest possible action against drugs. Everyone must unite to resist the menace that is destroying our youth and students," he said.

He urged parents, schools, and society to work together to build awareness, noting that families often make great sacrifices for their children's education—sacrifices that are wasted if children fall into addiction.

The event was chaired by school adhoc committee president Abdul Razzak. Local MP Lutfur Rahman Motin, Kalihati UNO Farzana Akter, and headmaster Abdul Mannan Molla also spoke.

After the programme, guests visited the school's multimedia classroom, observed the Mid-Day Meal distribution, and inspected the meal programme in action. Local public representatives, political leaders, officials, teachers, students, guardians, and community members were also present.

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