Schools, colleges instructed to screen anti-drug documentaries and theme songs

To strengthen anti-drug awareness activities, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued a directive to screen anti-drug documentaries and theme songs in secondary and higher secondary educational institutions across the country. This directive was issued following the decision of the seventh meeting of the Ministry of Education’s law and order advisory committee.

The information was shared in a letter signed by Kazi Md. Abu Kaiyum, Director of the Monitoring and Evaluation Wing of DSHE, on Monday (21 July).

The letter states that, in addition to promoting awareness about the harmful effects of drugs, an initiative has been taken to screen a documentary and a theme song prepared by the Department of Narcotics Control to build a social movement against drugs. All educational institutions at the district and sub-district levels are required to arrange to show these two materials.

Further instructions include that school and college heads must submit information via a Google form by 23 July. A Google Doc link (https://forms.gl/WkrL2CFc7RCSJugZ6) and a QR code have been attached to the letter.

Additionally, identifying this matter as ‘extremely urgent,’ regional directors have been requested to ensure that the heads of all colleges and secondary schools receive this directive.

Earlier, the relevant departments had instructed the field administration to take strict measures to stop drug sales around educational institutions. At the same time, institution-based committees have been urged to activate and make their activities more visible to raise awareness among students about the harmful effects of drugs. Simultaneously, students have been encouraged to be made aware of the correct interpretations of the Quran and Hadith to counter the propaganda of the banned organization Hizb ut-Tahrir.

For context, in 2022, for the first time in the country, the Department of Narcotics Control initiated the formation of anti-drug committees in educational institutions. Initially, these committees were formed experimentally in some schools and colleges. Based on the success, the initiative was expanded nationwide. The program was further extended by establishing a committee structure, involving teachers and guardians, and ensuring student participation.