(BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the honorariums of teachers at the primary and secondary levels across the country will be increased gradually.

“During the authoritarian government`s tenure, buildings were constructed, but no real progress was made in developing human resources” he told the House in repose to a supplementary question from opposition MP Md. Abul Hasnat (Hasnat Abdullah) from Cumilla-4.

The premier said if primary and secondary school teachers do not get proper training and professional dignity through better remuneration, it should not be expected that they will deliver quality education.

The government has plans to provide training for teachers at both the primary and secondary levels, he said.

“We have often seen primary school teachers finishing classes early because they have to take on a second job — whether in another educational institution, agriculture, or elsewhere. Otherwise, it becomes difficult for them to support their families,” said the premier.

“We have observed similar situations among secondary school teachers. Teachers should not be compelled to seek additional employment. Instead, they should be able to devote their full time and talents to their students. That is why increasing their honorariums is essential,” he said.

The prime minister also noted that the current national budget allocates 2 percent of GDP to the education sector.

The parliamentary session resumed at 3pm under Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair. The first thirty minutes of the day`s proceedings were allocated for the Prime Minister`s question-answer episode, during which the Prime Minister answered four starred questions from lawmakers and nine supplementary questions.

Responding to a supplementary question from treasury bench MP Musammat Shammi Akther from reserved women seat, the Prime Minister said school uniforms and school bags will be provided gradually to 12 million students from Class I to Class V enrolled in 65,000 government primary schools across the country and at the same time.

Replying to another supplementary question regarding the export of jackfruit to China, the Prime Minister said, “During our visit to China, we signed an agreement with them. Jackfruit is a highly popular fruit in our country, and Chinese people are very fond of it. We will export Bangladeshi jackfruit to China.”

He further said, “Let me add another point in this context. Before my visit to China, I travelled to Malaysia. During our discussions, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told me that Malaysia produces a fruit called durian, which resembles jackfruit in appearance. He informed me that Malaysia exports one billion US dollars` worth of durian to China every year. If they can do it, certainly we can as well. By exporting jackfruit, we will, Insha Allah, be able to earn substantial foreign exchange.”