It was a rare opportunity for them to ask questions to lawmakers about the government steps for education of all children.

About 100 children, who are receiving general and vocational education under 16 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), came to the Jatiya Sangsad premises and placed their grievances before the lawmakers.

Peoples Empowerment Trust (Pet), an NGO, organised the programme titled 'Meet the lawmakers' as part of the Global Action Week-2005, which is observed every year to ensure education for all children in all countries.

Mohammad Jashim, a student of Dhaka Ahsania Mission School, said the government should distribute textbooks free of cost up to the secondary level.

"Poor students like us cannot continue studies after primary level as they cannot afford to buy textbooks for the secondary level," said Jashim.

Jahidur Rahman, a student under Ucep Bangladesh, also echoed his views and said thousands of poor children will be able to receive secondary education if the government distributes free textbooks.

Rubi Akhter, another Ucep student, said the government should take steps for vocational education side by side with general education.

Nasima Sultana from a Brac-run school said many primary schools in the rural areas are facing a crisis of teachers, and the government should resolve this immediately.

Sathi Akhter, student of a Proshika-run school, said introduction of vocational training along with general education will greatly benefit students belonging to poor families.

Admitting the crisis of teachers in primary schools, State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Shahjahan Omar said the government is trying to meet the crisis.

Opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shahid said all the successive governments tried their best to ensure education for all children.

"There is no difference of opinion among lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties on education for all children in the country," he added.

Awami League (AL) lawmaker Faruk Khan said the legislators should enact a law to introduce a system in which working children would get more scope for education at their work places.

Alauddin Ahmed, another AL legislator, said the nation would benefit if the government could introduce vocational training along with general education.

On free textbooks up to secondary level, the lawmaker said they would place a bill for this in parliament shortly.

MM Akash, chairman of Pet, proposed the government should introduce an 'education bank' to provide loan to poor students for their education.

Qazi Rafiqul Alam of Ahsania Mission, Shafiqul Islam of Brac, Tasnim Athhar of Campaign for Popular Education and Shishir Shil of Pet replied to questions from the children.