He made this comment while speaking as chief guest at a reception ceremony for meritorious SSC students at Keraniganj Mohila Degree College in Dhaka on Saturday (September 19).

Rizvi said, by tolerating irregularities and mismanagement without ensuring the quality of education, major damage has been caused to the education system. He also alleged that in many cases, pressure was exerted to pass students due to interference by powerful quarters.

He said, modernization of the education system is essential to move Bangladesh forward in global competition in terms of technology. Along with increasing incentives and investment in education, opportunities must be created for students to develop their intellect and talents.

Emphasizing women's education, Rizvi said, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has proposed making women's education free up to graduation (honours). If women are educated and made skilled, its benefits will be reaped in all spheres—family, society and state.

Calling for making educational institutions time-befitting, he said, to survive in world-class competition, it is necessary to ensure modern infrastructure, technological equipment and a knowledge-based education environment.