Renowned writer and academic Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal has said some parents go as far as collecting leaked questions and make their children memorise the answers, just to ensure that they score GPA-5.

"Parents used to come to me and say that my child scored GPA-5. I used to be very happy [hearing that]. With time, I found out that parents sent their children to more than one coaching centre, just for GPA-5," he said.

"They [parents] buy guidebooks and make their children learn them by heart. The writings of the guidebooks are often published in newspapers and children are made to memorise those. Parents even collect leaked questions and make their children memorise the answers," he added.

Dr Zafar Iqbal made the remarks while addressing students as chief guest at Louhajang Girls Pilot High School in Munshiganj around 11am today (May 26, 2022), reports our Munshiganj correspondent.

Dr Zafar Iqbal urged the students to develop scientific thinking instead of attending coaching centres or learning lessons using rote method.

He said, "If you like playing cricket, by all means, become the next Shakib Al Hasan. I have no objection to that. But have a scientific mindset. Not everyone has to become a scientist. But everyone should have a science-based mindset."

Dr Zafar Iqbal added that a country is not rich solely because it has gold or because it excels in making weapons.

A country that has a vast sea of knowledge is in reality a "rich country", he said. "Students, you are precious. You are our wealth. If you study, everyone will become an asset."

Dr Zafar Iqbal made the speech to thousands of students, from classes 5 to 8.

The event was organised by Louhajang upazila administration.

Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md Abdul Awal attended the event as a special guest. Prof Yasmin Haque, wife of Dr Zafar Iqbal, and Ekushey Padak winner Prof Md Anwar Hossain, also vice-chancellor of Jashore University of Science and Technology, were present at the event, among others.