DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the pass rate in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent results would have been better, if BNP-Jamaat alliance had not enforced hartal and blockade during exams.

The premier was addressing the audiences at Gonobhaban after Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid handed over the copy of the results to her there at 10:00am.

Hasina said that students had to suffer a lot while appearing in exams amid blockade and frequent shutdowns. Our boys and girls are brilliants and can perform better, if they get opportunity, she added.

The premier welcomed the students for their better performance despite hostile environment during exam time.

Hasina went on saying: Education is only means of development for the country and is nation. No nation can become poverty free without education. For this reason, government has given importance on vocational education, she added.
 
Bedsides, Awami League government has provided stipend in higher education for the first time and formed Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust Fund, she informed the audiences.

Urging BNP and its major ally to shun the politics of violence, the premier opined that the parties, which enforce shutdown and blockade during exams, do not do politics for the welfare of the people.

There are no differences between the occupation forces of 1971 and the blockade- enforcers, she added.

Citing a female SSC examinee, who lost her eye, becoming the victim blockade-violence, Hasina warned that those who play games with people’s lives would not be spared.

The premier thanked all cornered, including officers of education ministry and education boards, law enforcing agencies personnel and guardians, for their sincere efforts.

BDST: 1340 HRS, MAY 30, 2015
HB/RS/SMS