A 180-day action plan to implement the BNP's election manifesto pledges includes a directive to encourage primary-level pupils to keep and care for animals.

It calls on pupils to help their parents rear ducks, chickens and other domestic animals and birds, and gives several other instructions as well.

This was stated in a letter from the Directorate of Primary Education on Wednesday, 29 July, sent to all divisional deputy directors of primary education and others concerned.

The letter says encouraging pupils to keep animals is set out in the 180-day action plan for implementing the election manifesto pledges, and requests, on instruction, that the activities listed be carried out to implement the plan.

The instructions are:

• Pupils should help their parents rear ducks, chickens and other domestic animals and birds at home.
• Pupils should be kind to all animals and encourage others to be kind to them.
• Pupils will form small groups and encourage neighbours around their homes to keep animals.
• The subject must be discussed at Cub Scout and Holde Pakhi gatherings, and discussed regularly at mothers' gatherings and courtyard meetings.

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