They said joint efforts by all including the government, public representatives and people in general are also needed for maintaining congenial academic atmosphere.

The discussion titled 'Quality education needs quality teachers' was organised jointly by Campaign for Population Education (CAMPE) and People's Empowerment Trust (PET) at the LGED auditorium in the city as part of the Global Action Week that was observed from April 24 to 30.

A total of 15 lawmakers from government and opposition parties including parents, teachers, students and NGO activists took part in the discussion.

Speakers at the discussion focused on various problems facing the country's primary education from their own perspectives.

These included punishment of students in the classrooms, dependency on textbooks, lack of adequate infrastructure, scarcity of playground, corruption in appointing teachers, taking of classes by untrained teachers and salary discrimination.

Earlier, students who came from different primary schools raised some questions to the lawmakers.

An indigenous girl from Khagrachhari demanded facilities for pursuing primary education in her own language.

Teachers from different schools said although they are the architects of the nation their salary is very nominal and some cases it is even lower than that of a driver or a peon of the government office.

About the punishment of students, the teachers said although some teachers are still doing this unethical thing, the tendency to beat up students is decreasing day by day.

A physically challenged teacher demanded their integration into the mainstream as they do not have any quota in primary education.

They also suggested transparency in recruiting process in order to get quality teachers, appointment of subject-based teachers, neutral and accountable school governing body and promotion depending on their performances and qualifications.

After hearing from the students and teachers, the lawmakers said love rather than punishment is more helpful in teaching and training of teachers is also important in this regard.

Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman MP said appointing teachers under political consideration is one of the main obstacles to get quality teachers.

Lt Colonel (retd) Faruk Khan MP said the provision for punishing the students should be stopped as it only creates a negative impression on the students.

"I will speak in parliament on June 7 to end the system of punishment and increase the salary of teachers," he added.

Referring to the demand of indigenous girl, they all agreed that there should be a system where the indigenous students can study in their own languages.

The lawmakers also assured the teachers that they would do their best to raise their salaries and ensure their welfare.

Speaking as chief guest, State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon said there is no alternative to education to turn the country's huge population into human resources.

He said the government is taking an initiative for indigenous students to practise their languages in their own schools.

Members of Bangladesh Parliamentary Caucus on Education and organisers of CAMPE and PET were also present at the discussion.