Learning should be fun for children: Mustafa Jabbar

Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said learning should be a fun filled experience for children and it is possible to create such quality digital content locally.

"It is very difficult to create an interest in study among children. They usually chose their favourite contents on their own. That is why they watch popular series on television," said the minister at an event to inaugurate "Boighor Version 6.0 app" on Sunday.

Students of grade 1-7 can take mock tests through the app, which would identify their weaknesses, and the moderators will inform the guardians about their children's performance. 

The app will also provide recreation for the children. The students using the app could read any kind of book from a digital library for 10 days by spending Tk10 only. 

The minister said the use of paper is decreasing day by day. The digital world is moving ahead fast. It has even become an alternative means of education during the Covid-19 pandemic. The whole world now depends on the digital system.

"We have many problems. 4G is not even available in rural areas in Bangladesh. But we have ensured broadband facilities in almost all areas across the country," he added.

The minister said people are now using internet to use Facebook and Youtube and many of them are committing crimes, which are increasing every day.

Regarding the Boighor Version 6.0, he said there is no risk of copyright violation as the owner of the app can just sign a contract with the writers and publish their content for use through the app.

Md Hasan-uz-Zaman, founder of Boighor, said students or guardians can also search for teachers through the app.

"Our teachers called 'student assistants' will go to the students' home to teach them," he said.

"Our exams will be in 'multiple choice questions (MCQ)' method initially,' he added.

Abul Hossain, managing director of Investment Corporation of Bangladesh, Munir Hasan, head of youth programme at Prothom Alo and Md Mahdi-uz-Zaman, co-founder of Boighor, among others, spoke at the function.