Staff Reporter:
International Literacy Day-2026 was observed yesterday in the country in a befitting manner like elsewhere in the world.This year’s theme of the day is “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperi-ty”.
UNESCO in 1967 officially declared September 8 as International Literacy Day, marking a signifi-cant milestone in the fight against illiteracy. The day has been instrumental in raising global awareness about the importance of literacy and highlighting the millions of individuals still strug-gling with illiteracy.
Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education took various programs marking the day. As part of the central program, a discussion was held at BNFE auditorium in the capital this morning.
According to government data, the literacy rate among the population aged seven years and above in Bangladesh has risen to 77.9 percent. Apart from the central programs, various programs were held at district levels.
In Sunamganj, International Literacy Day-2026 was observed in the district yesterday with various programs under the theme “Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity.” The District Administra-tion and the District Bureau of Non-Formal Education jointly organized the programs.
A colorful rally was brought out from the town around 11:00 am and it paraded through the main streets. Later, a discussion was held at the conference room of the district administration.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Shakila Rahman chaired the discussion, moderated by PTI Inspector Morshedul Haque. District Commissioner Mohammad Minhajur Rah-man addressed the program as the chief guest.
Additional Superintendent of Police Rakibul Hasan Russell, District Primary Education Officer Mo-han Lal Das, Project Director of Let Al Learn Himadri Prasad Mistry, Sunamganj Press Club Presi-dent Pankaj Kanti Dey, teacher Harunur Rashid and Nasrin Begum Chowdhury, among others, ad-dressed the discussion as special guests.
The speakers said a nation progresses through education and literacy. Therefore, they stressed the need to prevent school dropouts and ensure literacy among young people to reduce poverty in soci-ety and the state.
In Noakhali, International Literacy Day-2026 was observed in the district yesterday through vari-ous programs with the theme “Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity.”
The district administration and the Bureau of Non-Formal Education jointly organized a rally at 10 am from in front of the Noakhali Deputy Commissioner’s Office.
The rally paraded through important streets of the town before returning to the starting point. Lat-er, a discussion was held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Zinat Rehana presided over the discussion, while Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shafiqul Islam attended it as the chief guest.
Police Superintendent N M Nasiruddin, District Education Officer Md Abul Kashem and District Primary Education Officer Israt Nasima Habib were present as special guests.
Officials from different government departments, teachers of educational institutions, NGO repre-sentatives and representatives of various organizations also attended the program.
Speakers at the discussion said the literacy rate in Noakhali currently stands at 75.52 percent. The government is working to further increase the rate, they said.
In Natore, International Literacy Day-2026 was observed in the district yesterday through various programs with the theme “Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity.”
A discussion meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room marking the day. Deputy Commissioner Mst. Sumoni Akter presided over the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner said the literacy rate in the district has reached 74 percent and the government would continue working to achieve the target of 100 percent litera-cy as part of efforts to attain the SDGs.
“An integrated initiative is essential to achieve this goal. Therefore, cooperation from all concerned is indispensable,” she said.
Assistant Director of the Natore District Office of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education Md. Roni Ahmed said the literacy rate in Natore was 71 percent according to the 2022 Population and Hous-ing Census, while it increased to 74 percent according to the 2025 Economic Census.
He said the gradual rise in the literacy rate indicates that the district is making progress in this sec-tor. He said the “Effective Literacy and Practical Skills Training Program” is currently being imple-mented in Natore to achieve the target of universal literacy.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Jannat Ara Ferdous, District Education Of-ficer Md. Rostom Ali Helali and District Primary Education Officer Md. Abdul Hannan spoke, among others, at the meeting.
In Joypurhat, International Literacy Day-2026 was observed in the district yesterday with various programmes, including a colourful rally and discussion meeting, under the theme “Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity.”
The district administration and the District Bureau of Non-Formal Education jointly organized the programs. The colourful rally began from the Joypurhat Sadar Upazila Parishad premises around 11.00 am. It paraded the main streets of the town before ending at the Deputy Commissioner’s of-fice.
Later, a discussion meeting was held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office with Deputy Commissioner Md Al Mamun Mia in the chair.
Deputy Director of Local Government Jadav Sarkar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Jesmin Nahar, Joypurhat district BNP convener Golzar Hossain, Assistant Director of the Joypurhat Non-Formal Education Program Abu Tarik Md Rownak and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Of-ficer Mahmudul Islam addressed the meeting.
The speakers called upon all to work together to increase the literacy rate. They said achieving 100 percent literacy is indispensable for building a prosperous and developed society.
They also urged people from all sections of society to make concerted efforts to build a literacy-free district and further improve its education rate. Besides, other district of the country observed the day in befitting manners.
