Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka and leaders of education movement of 1962 offer munajat after the inauguration of 'Shikkha Odhikar Chattar' near the Shikhha Bhaban in the city yesterday. The Chattar was built in memory of those killed in police firing during the education movement. Photo: STAR

The historic Education Day was observed on the Dhaka University campus yesterday with a call to introduce a scientific, single-stream, pro-people and secular education system in the country.
Different student organisations made the call on the occasion by holding a series of meetings, rallies and processions on the campus.
The day was observed to commemorate the sacrifices of three students -- Mostafa, Babul and Wajiullah -- who were killed in police shootout while staging a demonstration to establish democratic rights of the students protesting against the SM Sharif Education Commission formed during the Ayub Khan regime in 1962.
Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka inaugurated a memorial pillar 'Shikkha Odhikar Chattar' in front of the High Court where the students were killed.
The DCC mayor told reporters that the dreams of the martyrs are yet to fulfil because of our socio-economic condition. He called on all to work together in order to establish a country based on their dreams.
Workers' Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon, politburo member Haider Akbar Khan Rono, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader Shirin Akter, Awami League leader Mukul Bose, former Ducsu general secretary Dr Mostak Ahmed and labour leader Abul Hossain took part in the programme.
The day's main programmes were started with placing wreaths at the Shikkha Odhikar Chattar pillar by different student organisations.
Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation placed wreaths at around 11:00am.
After holding a rally in front of the Ducsu Building, Chhatra Union submitted a memorandum to the primary and mass education ministry demanding steps to remove Brac from monitoring the development of primary education and said that providing education to the citizens is the only responsibility of the state.
President of the union Khan Asaduzzaman Masum and General Secretary Manobendra Dev took part in the rally.
Chhatra Moitri also submitted a memorandum to the ministry demanding introduction of single-stream education, scientific, pro-people and secular education system and steps to stop commercialisation of education and observe the day at the state level.
Chhatra Front and Chhatra Federation also held rallies and processions on the campus on the same.