DHAKA, Feb 3, 2024 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today urged the teachers and students to make educational institutions of the country free from all types of single-use (one time) plastics.

"We want to declare the country free of single-use plastic with the aim of building a pollution-free smart Bangladesh. If the educational institutions come forward and teach the children, thousands of families associated with the institutions will know about the harmful pollution of plastic," the minister said that while attending the annual sports competition, 2024 in the city's Motijheel Ideal School and College as the chief guest today, said a release.

"Not just plastic, educational institutions should be free of all types of waste and plant the required number of trees in the school premises. The steps will make the youngsters sensitive and careful about the environment," Chowdhury said.

"As our aim is to make the earth habitable again for our kids, the syllabus of schools and colleges will include environment and biodiversity conservation, tree plantation and combating climate change to create widespread public awareness about the dire plastic pollution," he said, said the release.

He then called upon the teachers and students to become aware and make others aware about the dangers of plastic and all other kinds of environment pollution to prevent it from happening and spreading.

The function was presided over by the acting Principal of Ideal School and College Mohammad Emam Hossain. Teachers, students and parents along with the teacher's representative of the governing body Shaheli Parveen were present among others.

Earlier, the minister inaugurated the program by lighting a torch and enjoyed the parade and patriotic display performed by the students of various branches.

Later, he distributed the prizes among the winners and wished them luck for their future.