Shikkhalok, a CDIP education bulletin first published in June 2014, has completed a 12 year long journey this year. Shikkhalok in these years have covered many ups and downs of education running in our country and also some developmental issues. One of the main characteristics of the Shikkhalok is to publish valuable articles from old days, which have been praised by many readers. Articles written in the Shikkhalok have been compiled into books like Amader Shikkha: Bichitro Bhabna, Amader Shikkha: Nana Chokhe, Matribhasha O Shikkha, Prantojoner Shofolota, etc. Almost every year Shikkhalok organizes a daylong get-together of writers, teachers, artists and others connected with it and launches a discussion on some education issue. This year was its 8th get-together, held on 19 June in the CDIP auditorium at Shyamoli in Dhaka.

The daylong 8th Get-together of Shikkhalok celebrated its era of publication by organizing a speech on education and later honoring three distinguished persons, who have contributed in the fields of education, literature and library movement in the country. The award recipients are Professor Shahidul Islam, an educationist, Saikat Habib, a poet and essayist, and Abdus Sattar Khan, President of Sammilito Pathagar Andolan. The Chief Guest at the Shikkhalok Shommanona-2026 was Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq, President of Bangla Academy. Bashir Ahmed, a novelist, was the Special Guest at the prize giving ceremony.

Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq said in his speech at the program: "The education system that the British installed should be gradually changed into a better one fitting our current national aspiration. But this cannot be done by a night, rather should be accomplished gradually. The government and the policymakers have to take positive steps for upgrading our education system to the level of the world standard."

The novelist Ahmed Bashir said, "Shikkhalok, for its positive role in disseminating good ideas should go beyond the development circle and reach other thoughtful persons in the wider society."

Professor Shahidul Islam said in his reflection, "I am extremely glad to have this honor from Shikkhalok because it carries sincerity, respect, and commitment to my works and dreams for bringing change in the education sector."

Poet Saikat Habib said, "This Shikkhalok Shommanona is a great honor to me. They do many things for the betterment of society and the education sector. This new addition to their activities on the occasion of the completion of an era will be held as remarkable."

Abdus Sattar Khan said, "I work among the people at the grassroots in remote areas throughout the country. This is going to inspire me to do that activity more energetically."

In the morning session of the Shikkhalok Education Speech, Khan Md. Rabiul Alam said, "Education quality has been coming down in the present education system because of the gradual decline of community participation on the one hand and increasing bureaucratic control on the other."

The daylong celebration with the education speech and honoring the three distinguished persons was chaired by Fazlul Bari, Editor of Shikkhalok. Mifta Naim Huda, Chief Editor of Shikkhalok and Executive Director of CDIP, said, "Such initiative of Shikkhalok will be continued in the coming days and new ideas will be explored too.

In this daylong celebration, Fatihul Quadir Samrat, Chief Editor of NCTB, Fahmida Karim, a nutritionist, Masuda Banu Faruk Ratna, a development and social worker along with many teachers, artists, journalists and other civil society members were present and took part in the discussion contributing to the expansion of the horizon of education ideas.

The writer is Executive Editor, Shikkhalok