Published : 09 Aug 2026, 08:52 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:31 AM
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said the government plans to introduce science toys into the primary school curriculum to help children learn science through play and hands-on activities.
"We do not want children to learn science only by reading books," Bobby said at a UNICEF-organised event at a Dhaka hotel on Sunday.
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education said in a statement that the remarks were made at the event titled Foundational Learning Action Tracker.
Bobby said greater emphasis was being placed on science, mathematics, design and creativity in primary education.
Science toys and other hands-on learning materials will be incorporated into the curriculum to make learning more enjoyable and practical, he said.
"We are also taking an initiative to introduce maths labs in primary schools, where students will learn basic mathematical concepts such as shapes, multiplication, division, addition and subtraction using different materials," he said.
The state minister stressed the need to address gaps in foundational learning, saying that ensuring basic reading, writing and numeracy skills for every child was one of the most important goals of primary education.
"Even if a student moves to a higher grade, gaps in foundational learning can create major problems later in their education," he said.
Bobby also said the government was implementing different programmes to bring children who are out of school into the education system.
He said the government was also planning to provide support, including free school uniforms, to help children remain in school. The first free school uniform distribution programme will be launched on Aug 16, he said.
On the mid-day meal programme, Bobby said steps were being taken to address shortcomings identified during its pilot implementation.
He said the success of a pilot project should not be judged only by how many people it reaches, but also by the problems identified during implementation and how effectively they are addressed.
Primary education projects, he said, should be operational and practical rather than based solely on broader educational philosophy.
