Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman on Wednesday revealed the literacy rate in the country has gone up to 72.3 percent, saying the rate is rising gradually, reports BSS.
"According to the latest data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the current literacy rate is 72.3 percent. The rate is going up gradually due to multifaceted programs adopted by the present government," he said at a press briefing at the secretariat marking International Literacy Day 2017.
"We have to make all the illiterate people literate, as it is not possible to achieve the desired development by keeping them away from literacy. The government is implementing the Basic Literacy Project (64 districts) on its own funding under the Bureau of Non-Formal Education to provide the illiterate people with effective life skill based literacy," he said.
The minister said the government will provide basic literacy along with life skills to 4.5 million illiterate people in 250 upazilas of 64 districts under the project.
"Bangladesh will observe International Literacy Day on September 8 with the slogan 'Achieve Literacy, Build Digital World'," Mostafizur added.
A cultural program will be held at Jatiya Natyashala at Shilpakala Academy on the day where Mostafizur Rahman is scheduled to be present as the chief guest.
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.