Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Sept 8, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj today said a large number of people in the country still lack institutional education, stressing need for further strengthening non-formal education system to bring them under literacy.

"Our main goal is that all children will remain in schools, every child will receive education based on ethics and values, and acquire skills through which they will be able to build their careers in the future," said the state minister.

Speaking as chief guest, the state minister came up with the plan at a discussion and non-formal education award-giving ceremony organised on the occasion of the International Literacy Day at the auditorium of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education in Tejgaon here, said a ministry press release.

He said around 22 percent of the country's people are still outside literacy and institutional education, which is nearly four crore in number.

A large portion of them are adults, he said, adding that many children of primary school-going age are also still outside institutional education.

"So, bringing this population back into the mainstream of education and skills must be given the highest priority," he said.

Bobby Hajjaj said they have the opportunity to work with the largest population among all ministries and directorates related to education.

"Therefore, in terms of numbers, the Bureau of Non-Formal Education needs to be turned into one of the strongest and empowered institutions in the country," he said.

He stressed making the ongoing activities of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education more results-oriented as well as on the rescoping, redesigning and refocusing of projects.

The state minister further said the Prime Minister's vision is very clear: no child will remain outside school and every child will receive proper education.

He said two important aspects of such proper education are education based on ethics and values and skills-based education.

"We want a child not only to be educated but also to acquire the necessary skills so that they can build their career in the future," he said.

He said a large portion of the budget in the education sector has to be spent on improving the quality of education, bringing children back to school, increasing literacy and developing skills.

"Budget in the education sector should not be only for constructing buildings; every taka of this budget must be used to ensure proper education for people," he said.

Highlighting the significance of International Literacy Day, the state minister said merely increasing the literacy rate is not enough.

"People have to be provided with such education that will improve their standard of living, develop values and create the capacity to play an effective role in working life," he said.

Director General of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education Monowara Ishrat presided over the programme.

Primary and Mass Education Secretary Jasmin Nahar and Additional Secretary Md Mokhlesur Rahman were present at the programme as special guests.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Directorate of Primary Education and Bureau of Non-Formal Education, as well as representatives of various development partner organisations, were also present.