Speakers at a discussion yesterday said the existing multi-stream education system is the main obstacle to national development and unity.
They also called for introduction of single-stream science-oriented education system with a view to building a society free from discrimination, corruption and fanaticism.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and Sachetan Nagorik Committee (SNC) organised the discussion at Savar to mark the historic Education Day, says a press release.
SNC convener Joynal Abedin Khan, a retired metropolitan magistrate and one of the organisers of '62 education movement, said the students along with the people launched the movement to protest the discriminatory education policy and demand a universal education system.
But the aspirations of the people still remain unfulfilled, he said, adding that various systems of education -- general, English medium, cadet and madrasa -- continue to create discriminations in society.
Rahela Khanam, headmistress of Savar Girls' High School, former student leader Rafiqul Islam Molla, freedom fighter Khondaker Md Hamid Ranju and engineer Adul Khalek also spoke in the discussion moderated by TIB official Md Atiqur Rahman.