International Literacy Day today

Like other countries around the globe, Bangladesh will observe the International Literacy Day today in a befitting manner. 

"Literacy in a Digital World" is the global theme of this year which is targeted to drive the global education 2030 agenda under Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs). 

Apart from the global theme, the Day in Bangladesh will be celebrated with "Achieve Literacy, Build Digital World" theme.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday gave separate messages marking the day. 

The President in his message said the government is committed to ensure education for all to develop skilled manpower. 

"There is no alternative to literacy for overall development of the country...there is no alternative to skilled manpower for building a middle-income country by 2021," he said.

The government has taken 'illiteracy removing programme' as a social movement for building a country free from illiteracy as well as building the country as a digital technology-based nation and implementing the vision-2021, the president added. 

The Prime Minister in her message called upon all to work together to attain cent percent literacy rate to turn every citizen of the country into a human resource.

"In the last eight and a half years, the literacy rate surged 72 per cent from 45 per cent and I hope that the country will be free from the curse of illiteracy by 2021," she said. 

Marking the day, Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman held a press briefing at his ministry office on Wednesday. 

The minister, at the press briefing, revealed that country has been witnessing continuous surge of its literacy rate for the last eight years since 2009. 

The minister also told the press conference that the literacy rate of Bangladesh is now up to 72.3 per cent. 

The government is implementing various schemes in the education sector with the major objectives of ensuring education for all and setting a standard in education, he added. 

On the occasion, a cultural programme will be held at Jatiya Natyashala at Shilpakala Academy where Mostafizur Rahman will be present as the chief guest.

Different government and private organisations will also organise various programmes to mark the day in a befitting manner. 

Bangladesh Betar will broadcast special live programme which will also be available at www.betar.gov.bd. 

A colourful procession will be brought out at 7 am from the central Shaheed Minar in the city that will end at Osmani Memorial auditorium.

Commemorative postal stamps, posters will be released, special supplements will be published, rallies will be brought out and major roadways will be decorated marking the day.

The International Literacy Day is celebrated throughout the world marking the 52nd anniversary of the World Congress of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy, held in Tehran, Iran in 1965.

Following the Tehran recommendation, UNESCO proclaimed September 8th the International Literacy Day.

Source: bss