PM calls for safe environment for students during Covid-19 crisis

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called for a concerted global action to ensure a safe and secure environment for students during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Education is one of the important sectors deeply affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which has caused widespread closure of educational institutions across the world. So, a concerted global action is needed to ensure a safe and secure environment for students," she said.

The PM was delivering a video message on the first-ever observance of the "International Day to Protect Education from Attack".

The day is being observed aiming to shed light on the issue of attacks on education and help more marginalised children and youth in conflict-affected countries to have access to quality education opportunities.

In her pre-recorded message, Hasina underscored the need to revamp international cooperation to protect education in every situation, saying concerted efforts would surely lead the countries to the desired future.

"On this auspicious occasion, let's commit to revamp international cooperation to protect education in every situation …our concerted efforts would surely lead us to the future we want," she said.

The PM said though the Covid-19 crisis has shown the weakness of the existing education system, Bangladesh has taken various measures to offset the pandemic impact on the education sector.

"We don't remain idle although educational institutions remained closed. We have launched televised and online learning for the students," she said.

Hasina said the government is continuing monetary support for the students, while special measures have been taken so that students are engaged in studies.

At the outset of her speech, she congratulated all on the first-ever observance of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack and appreciated Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the chairperson of Education Above All Foundation and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate.

President of Dominican Republic Luis Abinader, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocate Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, President of the 74th UN General Assembly Prof Tijjani Muhammad Bande, Belgium Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Phillipe Goffin also spoke on the occasion.

President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet Jeria, Founder of the Graga Machel Trust and UN SDG Advocate Graca Machel, CEO of Global Partnership for Education Alice Albright, UN SDG Advocate Edward Ndopu, Prosecutor of International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda also delivered video messages.

Besides, Nobel laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Tawakkul Karman, CEO and Founder of Barefoot Foundation Shakira and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham spoke on the virtual platform.