Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated on Monday that the government is actively working to transform teaching into a first-choice profession for highly talented individuals by fundamentally reforming teacher recruitment protocols and the broader education system.

"Teaching can never be a profession of last resort or merely another job. Rather, we are reshaping teacher recruitment and the education system to ensure that the most meritorious people choose teaching as their first choice of profession," he emphasized.

The Prime Minister delivered these remarks as the chief guest during a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Education at Osmani Memorial Auditorium to mark World Teachers' Day 2026 and to confer the national 'Eminent Teacher Award' upon selected educators spanning primary to higher education levels.

Underscoring the intrinsic value of the academic community, PM Tarique Rahman remarked, "We believe that the dignity of the state is linked to the honour and dignity of teachers in the state and society. If the dignity of teachers remains intact in society, the image of the state is enhanced."

This year's World Teachers' Day is observed under the theme: "Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Enhancing Dignity and Shaping Our Future."

The Prime Minister conveyed his profound respect to educators serving across primary and secondary schools, colleges, madrasas, technical institutes, and universities nationwide, while congratulating the award recipients recognized for their exceptional merit and professional competence.

He noted that when teachers become the "need and loved ones" of their students, learners find it significantly easier to navigate global challenges as responsible, educated citizens.

Describing teachers as "ideal role models" who guide students beyond their foundational family environment, Tarique Rahman confirmed that the administration is formulating policies enabling educators to confidently serve as role models.

In an era defined by the rapid proliferation of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), the Prime Minister asserted that technical and practical instruction must supplement conventional teaching methodologies.

"So, changing the strategies of learning and teaching and modernising the education curriculum is the demand of the time," he declared.

The Premier announced that the government has structured a updated curriculum tailored to contemporary realities, with students set to receive aligned textbooks within this year. He stressed that instructional methods are critical to preventing students from growing disengaged from books.

"Instead of mere memorisation, we have to raise the questions of 'why' and 'how' in the minds of students. If curiosity is created, a student can become his or her own teacher," he continued.

Highlighting the global shift toward "joyful learning," particularly among primary school cohorts, PM Tarique Rahman revealed that the Ministry of Education is debuting a new textbook titled "Learning with Happiness" for sixth-grade students—the first initiative of its kind in Bangladesh—with plans to introduce similar instructional materials across other grades sequentially.

Addressing broader educational challenges, the Prime Minister observed that while AI opens vast vistas for knowledge acquisition, practical and technical competencies have rendered traditional, certificate-based knowledge obsolete.

To help educators adapt to swift technological advancements, he emphasized the urgent necessity of modernizing teacher training colleges.

"We do not want to see technology as a substitute for teachers. Rather, technology will be the strength of teachers," he affirmed, detailing the rollout of the government's "One Teacher, One Tab" initiative.

Through these tablets, teachers will access digital lesson plans, item banks, student learning analytics, and supplementary instructional materials.

Additionally, multimedia classrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity are being expanded across academic institutions nationwide.

The Premier reiterated the government's resolve to construct an inclusive education system where no child is denied learning, adding, "It is also essential to ensure that even if someone drops out at any stage of their educational life for any reason, they do not remain unemployed."

Frame-marking education as the current administration's top priority, PM Tarique Rahman noted that the highest-ever fiscal allocation for education was designated in the recent national budget, with commitments to increase funding progressively.

Detailing secondary education metrics, he noted that approximately 21,000 secondary-level institutions currently operate nationwide, where over 300,000 teachers instruct millions of students, largely within private and MPO-listed establishments.

Acknowledging existing urban-rural disparities in educational access, he outlined plans to ensure both urban and rural students gain access to qualified educators and modern technology, grounded in equal opportunity, quality instruction, and non-discriminatory access.

The Prime Minister noted that while career-oriented education is necessary, employment is not the sole objective of academic instruction.

"Moral and character development is also one of the key objectives of education. If knowledge is not linked with morality, it can become a cause of harm rather than benefit to society," he cautioned, urging educators to integrate truthfulness, responsibility, empathy, patriotism, humanity, discipline, and respect into daily instruction.

To enhance financial security and social standing for primary, secondary, and higher-secondary teachers, Tarique Rahman outlined concrete administrative directives.

Starting this year, relevant authorities have been instructed under a new policy to make it mandatory to invite at least one primary and one secondary school teacher to state functions on national occasions, such as Independence Day and Victory Day.

He emphasized that a teacher, whether active or retired, merits lifetime state respect due to the nobility of the profession.

Addressing administrative bottlenecks, the Premier issued strict instructions to eliminate harassment regarding salary disbursements and pension benefits, declaring that teachers must not suffer hardships or bureaucracy to claim their rightful dues, which must reach their bank accounts promptly.

Describing teachers as fundamental architects of a knowledge-based society, he noted that World Teachers' Day is celebrated globally every year on October 5 to advocate for teacher dignity, rights, professional advancement, and quality education.

The ceremony was chaired by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon. Additional addresses were delivered by National Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah, Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Education Md. Selim Bhuiyan.