Education Adviser Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar has called for transforming educational institutions into centers of democratic and inclusive practice through the creativity, ideas, and active participation of young people. He made the remarks on Saturday at a discussion marking International Education Day 2026, held at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium and organized by the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO.

Dr. Abrar emphasized that education should not be confined to textbook learning but should foster citizenship, values, and social responsibility. He urged that youth participation must be genuine and effective rather than symbolic, stressing that sustainable change is impossible without their engagement. Referring to the upcoming election and the vision of a new Bangladesh, he said young people must be actively involved in institutional reform and represented in national structures, including parliament.

He further highlighted the need for supportive environments in educational institutions to nurture students’ talents and civic awareness through clubs and cultural activities. He also underscored inclusive representation for ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups through coordinated policy and continuous dialogue.