Digital Dilemma: Opposition Leader Warns Against Online Classes for Children

Opposition Leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has commented that conducting online classes for children will lead to the deterioration of their intellectual development.

He made this remark on Friday, April 3, at a rally organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka District at Nafis Convention Center in South Keraniganj.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that children are already becoming addicted to devices. If they are kept away from schools and given devices for learning, it will result in the decline of their intellectual abilities. He further said that when a child attends school, they benefit from social interaction. If they are instead asked to attend classes from home, it becomes problematic, as children are naturally playful and restless. In a classroom, teachers supervise them, but at home, there is no one to monitor whether they are actually attending classes or not.

“But when they are at home independently, who will supervise them? If they leave the device on the table and go out to play, who will notice? Even if they fall asleep, nothing can be done. If they skip classes and engage in sibling quarrels at home, there is no control. In this way, their intellectual potential will deteriorate,” he added.

He further stated that when questions are raised in parliament, it is acknowledged that the problem is global and not unique to Bangladesh. “We want to cooperate in addressing this issue, but the government claims there is no problem. Statements made in parliament give the impression that there is no crisis at all; rather, Bangladesh is floating in surplus oil. It is shameful.”

The Jamaat Ameer also questioned that if there is truly no problem, why motorcyclists and drivers have to wait for hours in front of petrol pumps. “Why do they have to stand in queues stretching for kilometers? Why must they endure heat and rain? Bike riders say they previously could operate for seven to eight hours, but due to fuel shortages, they now struggle to operate even for three hours. Hardships are affecting all aspects of life, yet the government claims there is no shortage of fuel. It is true, however, that the government has not clarified for whom there is no shortage.”

He further alleged that some individuals are stockpiling fuel in drums at homes, bamboo groves, and cowsheds. “Fuel is unavailable at pumps, with notices saying ‘no fuel’ and pumps closed; yet it is available in the black market, where fuel priced at 120 taka is being sold for 300 taka. Life depends on fuel—not only for running lights and fans, but also for keeping the wheels of society turning, including mills, factories, and transport. This is a matter of shame. Why does the government not sit openly with all stakeholders? Why does it not present the real situation? We all want to be part of the solution. We do not want to create a crisis. The government must come out of this lack of transparency and ambiguity.”

DBTech/DPO/EK/OR