Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to attend the final matches of the Government Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament, scheduled to be held at the National Stadium on Saturday (June 20).

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj announced the Prime Minister's participation during a press conference at the ministry on Thursday.

Highlighting the scale of the event, Hajjaj noted that over 10 million students, 400,000 teachers, and millions of citizens have been involved in the tournament, either directly or indirectly.

“The tournament is not merely a sporting competition; it is a major initiative aimed at ensuring the healthy development of children and adolescents for fostering leadership qualities among them,” Hajjaj said.

He further announced that his ministry is currently in discussions with international football organizations to facilitate world-class training camps or overseas training opportunities for the winning teams.

The State Minister urged the media to provide wider coverage for such events to help highlight the achievements of the nation’s talented youth.

Pointing to the recent international success of the country’s female footballers, he affirmed that the government is committed to providing the necessary support to develop both male and female players into world-class athletes.

Addressing the broader scope of education reform, Hajjaj emphasized that the government is building a comprehensive framework that integrates sports, culture, science, mathematics and innovative thinking, moving beyond a strictly textbook-based curriculum.

He addressed concerns raised in some quarters that the government might be prioritizing sports and culture over core academics, clarifying that, "In reality, the government is giving equal importance to language education, mathematics, science, technology, culture, and sports."

To support these academic goals, he reaffirmed plans to gradually establish "Math Labs" in primary schools to help students overcome their fear of mathematics.

Additionally, he announced initiatives to set up modern science laboratories, stating that there is "no alternative to science and technology education in meeting the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution."

Hajjaj highlighted that a primary objective of the government is to pivot the current generation away from a lifestyle dependent on mobile phones and tablets, encouraging engagement in creative and positive pursuits instead.

As part of this vision, cultural and sports activities are being integrated into the educational experience.

Furthermore, the State Minister announced the introduction of governance-based competitions to foster civic responsibility, noting that a pilot program has already been launched with students from the Dhaka-13 constituency and will be expanded nationwide.

He also outlined the government's efforts to implement "Happiness Classrooms," which aim to provide a pleasant and engaging learning environment for students from the moment they arrive at school until they leave.

"By making education enjoyable, participatory, and practical, it will be possible to develop skilled, humane, and responsible citizens for the future," Hajjaj concluded.