PM to launch innovation showcase, tree plantation drive today

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to launch a national innovation showcase and a simultaneous tree plantation drive today, marking a dual initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s knowledge-based economy and environmental sustainability.
The national-level “Startup, Science Project and Innovation Idea Showcasing” programme will be held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre, bringing together top young innovators from across the country.
Organised under the Educational Excellence Support Scheme (EESS) of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) under the Ministry of Education, the initiative seeks to foster creativity, scientific inquiry and entrepreneurship among students while reducing reliance on rote learning. 
Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon and Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin inspected the venue on Sunday ahead of the programme.
Held under the slogan “Bangladesh First in Talent, Science, Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” the event will feature the top 100 teams selected from district and metropolitan-level competitions, showcasing their science projects and startup ideas.
The prime minister will attend the programme at 2pm as chief guest and distribute awards. Officials said her presence would elevate the event beyond a ceremonial function and underline the government’s focus on building an innovation-driven economy.
Students from Classes VI to XII participated nationwide, with each team comprising three students and two teachers. At the upazila and metropolitan level competitions on 12 June, 8,029 teams involving 27,204 students and 16,058 teachers took part across 521 education zones.
A total of 546 teams advanced to the district-level competitions on 14 June, from which the top 100 were selected for the national showcase. The top 10 teams will receive trophies, while outstanding teachers and students will be awarded cash prizes and certificates.
On the same occasion, the prime minister will inaugurate a nationwide tree plantation drive across 29,621 secondary-level institutions simultaneously.
The initiative is part of the government’s pledge to plant 250 million saplings over five years and aligns with the “One Child, One Tree” campaign. 
The Ministry of Education plans to plant 50 million trees in educational institutions over the next five years.