Ershad for blocking internet, Facebook, Google access to 'save students'

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad believes the education system of Bangladesh is on the brink of collapse due to the rise in use of information technology among students.

He has demanded the closure of internet, Google and Facebook in Bangladesh.

"Our children are on the wrong path today. Studies have gone haywire. Facebook, mobile phone, porn videos, rape scenes....they watch these in classrooms," he said.

"And the teachers make them cheat in exams. It has been instructed that everyone will have to pass, get GPA 5, no matter if he or she is a cow or donkey. That's why the teachers are helping the students do unethical things, cheat in exams."

The anger of the 87-year-old former military ruler over the widespread use of mobile internet was clearly palpable at a programme in Dhaka Reporters' Unity on Thursday.

He said, "A child has a bag on its back, but there is no book in it. A mobile phone is surely in there. What will it learn? The students are actually doing Facebook and watching porn videos when the teacher is taking the class."

"I think this Facebook should be blocked. The internet, Google need to be closed. These are not there in China. Aren't they achieving success? It is unfortunate how the children of our society are being led to a wrong path," he added.

He again criticised the teachers: "Teachers were like our fathers. We used to respect them as much as we respected our fathers. But those teachers are no more."

Ershad said the children were not learning Bangla, English and Arabic in the current education system.

Speaking at the discussion organised by Shariah Andolan Bangladesh, he said Ulamas or Islamic scholars could save society from going down the wrong path.

"Hit the streets, I will be with you. It is us who can stop terrorism, rapes, murders and enforced disappearances," said Ershad.

He is also leading an alliance of 34 Islamist parties, United National Alliance or UNA, formed on May 7 and led by his Jatiya Party.

Shariah Andolan is a partner of Jatiya Party in the coalition.

"Our struggle is the struggle to establish Islam," the former president told the discussion.