The One Child One Tree programme has been launched in Patiya, Chattogram, as part of the government's priority project to plant 25 crore saplings.

Enamul Haque Enam, member of parliament for Patiya, opened the programme as chief guest at Abdus Sobhan Rahat Ali High School in the upazila at noon on Sunday, 13 September.

In the first phase of the planting drive, organised by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Chattogram, 500 saplings were distributed at Patiya Abdus Sobhan Rahat Ali High School.

The event was chaired by Professor Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury, chairman of the Chattogram education board. Special guests were the board's deputy director, Professor Muhammad Ekramul Haque, and its secretary, Professor Mohammad Morshed Alam.

After a welcome speech by headteacher ATM Toha, speakers included former mayor Nurul Islam; Khorshed Alam, former member secretary of the upazila BNP; Gazi Abu Taher, chairman of the Patiya Adarsha High School managing committee; Mainul Alam Chhoton, member secretary of the upazila sports association; and Shyamal Dey, headteacher of Haidgaon High School. The event was hosted by teachers Shahnaz Akter and Nurul Amin.

In his speech Enamul Haque Enam said: "The country's education system was destroyed over the past 17 years. The government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working to bring back an education-friendly environment. The government has taken various initiatives to ensure facilities for students."

He said: "Education is the backbone of the nation. By breaking this backbone, the nation was pushed towards ruin. Students used to be given auto-passes. There is no such opportunity now. They must study to pass exams."

Urging students to focus on their studies, he said: "Guardians and teachers must play a more responsible role in raising them properly."

Presiding over the event, Professor Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury said: "The government is taking various steps to bring qualitative change to education, which is positive for the education system. To lead the country in future, the present generation must give importance to moral education."

He added: "There is no alternative to tree planting to protect the balance of the environment and ensure a liveable environment for future generations. If every student can be linked with at least one tree, it will build a sense of responsibility towards the environment in them." He also stressed regular study, discipline and the practice of moral values.

Headteachers of various educational institutions, teachers and students, political leaders and local dignitaries were present.

The guests later planted trees on the school grounds, and saplings of various fruit and timber trees were handed to 500 students.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.