He said these things as the chief guest at the event titled 'Digital Gender Norms: National Learning-Experience Exchange' organized by BBC Media Action at Hotel Lakeshore in Gulshan, Dhaka on Tuesday (July 21).
The State Minister said that although attempts were made to suppress the voices of the people by shutting down the internet during the July 2024 mass uprising, it was not successful. Rather, that experience proved that digital media is now an integral part of society, the state, and civic life. Therefore, ensuring the safe and effective use of technology, instead of denying it, is the demand of the time.
He said that a mismatch has been created between the rapid development of technology and the prevailing social and cultural values of society. To bridge this gap, educational institutions, families, society, and the state must work together. It is also crucial to train children and adolescents in information verification, safe digital behavior, and online ethics.
Bobby Hajjaj said that fake images, fake videos, character assassination, and digital harassment on social media have increased at an alarming rate. Women, adolescent girls, and female politicians are the main victims of such propaganda. Therefore, along with ensuring accountability on digital platforms, effective laws and policies need to be implemented to protect children and women.
He said the government's goal is not to create unreasonable barriers to using technology; rather, it is to establish a balance between freedom and security. In the current reality, effective control is also necessary in some areas to ensure the safety of children and women.
Highlighting the new priorities of primary education, the State Minister said that the government is significantly incorporating value-based education, digital safety, life skills, gender sensitivity, and civic values into the new curriculum. To this end, coordinated work is ongoing with UNESCO and other domestic and international experts and development partner organizations.
He informed that interactive digital systems will be introduced in classrooms step by step to build a technology-dependent education system. Additionally, there are plans to provide tablets for teachers and, in the future, education-friendly digital devices for students.
Emphasizing community engagement, Bobby Hajjaj said that ensuring the safe development of children is not only the responsibility of parents but of the entire society. For this reason, the participation of parents and local people in primary schools is being increased. Guardian committees have already been formed to oversee the school meal program, and initiatives have been taken to increase community involvement in other areas of the education system.
Calling upon development partner organizations and NGOs, he said that if they bring effective and tested initiatives for students, the government will evaluate them and take steps to implement them on a larger scale. The ministry is currently working on an open collaboration policy.
Regarding women's empowerment, the State Minister said that to establish women's leadership, it is not just about slogans; equal opportunities, equal rights, a safe environment, and measures to build self-confidence must be ensured from childhood. The foundation for this change must be laid in educational institutions.
Representatives from BBC Media Action, teachers, students and parents from various educational institutions in Khulna and Savar regions, representatives from various development partner organizations including UN Women, Plan International, Jago Foundation, and media personnel were present at the event.
