DHAKA: Thousands swore a pledge to punish stalkers and ensure girl students’ safety as a government-sponsored special education day was observed Sunday across the country.

The Education Minister administered the oath to hundreds of students at a central rally on the premises of the Central Shahid Minar to mark the launch of the nationwide social campaign, undertaken against the backdrop of a number of tragedies.

Minister Nurul Islam Nahid urged all to wage a social movement against eve-teasers for ensuring a congenial and cohesive atmosphere in educational institutions.

With the theme ‘Resist stalkers to protect girl students’, the day was observed across the country with similar programmes.

Earlier, a procession organised by the Education Ministry marched out from Muktangon and ended at the Central Shahid Minar. Students from different schools took part in the procession and rally.

Addressing the rally as chief guest, the Education Minister said, “The government has also taken other measures to deal with the social curse”.

He added: “The derailed boys who are also a part of society should be brought onto the right track.”

The minister said the education policy also has been formulated with emphasis on incorporating the issue of moral education into the curriculum.

Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique at the rally said the law alone is not enough to stamp out the social menace. “It requires social awareness.”

Eminent Actor Elias Kanchan, in his speech, said, “Movement against eve-teasing is an imperative to avert further death.”

At Least 17 teenage girls, mostly students, have ended the torment of teasing by resorting to suicide in recent times.      

Among others, former adviser of caretaker government Rasheda K Chowdhury, President of the International Theatre Institute Ramendu Majumder, education secretary Sayed Ataur Rahman, chairman of Dhaka Education Board Fahima Khatun and Tarana Halim MP attended the programme.

BDST: 0130 Hrs, 13 June 2010
MZ/TA/ARF/SMS/MUA