Bss, Dhaka

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said in order to save the lives of students, the government has shut down the educational institutions amid the ongoing pandemic.

“If the lives of children are at risk, what will we do with education? That’s why the government took the decision to save lives,” he said.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, made the remark at a discussion marking the National Mourning Day at IDEB in Dhaka. He attended the event virtually.

Institute of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh organised the programme -- “What to do to implement Bangabandhu’s Philosophy on Vocational and Technical Education” -- and to distribute relief among the poor.

Quader also criticised BNP for saying that the government is allegedly destroying the country’s education system through conspiracy. “BNP even smelt conspiracy with vaccines earlier. Their habit is to see conspiracy in everything,” Quader said.

Their [BNP] political programme is only to spread rumour and falsehood against the incumbent democratic government, he added. Quader also urged BNP to specify the irregularities without throwing stones in the dark.

At the meeting, Quader also said the plotters, who wanted to erase the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from history, themselves are being erased from history at present.

Noting that the prime minister has been working relentlessly to address many challenges the country is facing due to the pandemic, he said during this crisis, all political parties should be involved in saving lives and standing by the needy.

Quader called upon all to follow the health rules and help motivate people to get vaccinated.