They also asked for social awareness and comprehensive approach to provide students with IT facilities across the country.

They were speaking at a press conference organised by Foundation for Education and Research Innovation (Feri) at Teachers' Training College in the city on the occasion of CD and VCD launching ceremony of 'Shohoje Ganit' (Doing sums easily) for the students of secondary school level.

Feri, a voluntary organisation, after a four-year research launched two CDs containing sound, picture and animation in a view to making students interested in mathematics, a nightmare to many students.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Farida Banu of Mathematics department of Dhaka University (DU) said that the standard of education in our country has been very poor, as the students do not have basic concept in different subjects.

Munir Hasan, general secretary of Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad, asked for the provision of computer and introduction of multimedia to the students in cooperation with government and private organisations.

Munir criticised the quality of paper used in the textbooks of secondary and higher secondary levels as the very sight of the books irritate students, let alone invoking interest.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Muhammad Jafar Iqbal said over cell phone from Sylhet that he had been waiting for long for such audio-visual facilities for the students so that they can enjoy study and can do things on their own without going to coaching centres.

Eminent educationist Prof Anwar Ali addressed as the chief guest while Prof Rawshan Ara Rashid, chairman of Feri presided over the function.

Among others Munibar Rahman Chowdhury, former professor of Mathematics department, DU, Dr Sattyabrata Roy, deputy director of Science Development Centre of Dhaka Teachers' Training College and Prof Meherun Nesa, principal of Dhaka Teachers' Training College also spoke.