The literacy rate in Bangladesh rose to 76.08 percent in September in 2023, up 1.42 percent over the correspondent period of previous year amounting to 74.66 percent.
This information was disclosed by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education ahead of the 'International Signature Day' on Wednesday.
Next September 8 (Friday) is International Literacy Day. The day will be celebrated in Bangladesh like other countries of the world.
On October 26 in 1996, UNESCO announced that September 8 would be the International Day of Signatures every year to address signature problems worldwide. This day is observed not only to remove the problem but also to make everyone understand why education and signing is necessary.
The theme of this year's Literacy Day, set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies”, which is very relevant considering the importance of time.
A senior official of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education said article 17 of the Constitution enacted in 1972 declares the elimination of illiteracy and education as unpaid and compulsory in the country.
“Literacy Day was celebrated for the first time in independent Bangladesh in 1972 to promote literacy,” he mentioned.
“The 1973 Literacy campaign started in Thakurgaon,” he said, adding that in 1973, the main program of International Literacy Day was held in Thakurgaon. On that day Kachubari-Krishtapur village of Thakurgaon was declared as the first illiteracy free village in Bangladesh,” he informed.
Currently, the literacy rate in the country stands at 76.08 percent.
Primary and Mass Education Secretary Farid Ahmed said that the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education is making continuous efforts to achieve 100 percent literacy.
As part of the move, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has taken various programs on the occasion of the 'International Signature Day'.
These include discussion meetings, publication of pamphlets, publication of posters, publication of talk shows and reports in print and electronic media. These programs will be organized at the head office of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) at Tejgaon in the capital.
