Literacy rate rises to 77.9% in Bangladesh: Bobby Hajjaj
The government is linking literacy with digital skills, employment and practical training to reach out-of-school and disadvantaged groups.
The literacy rate among the population aged seven years and above in Bangladesh has risen to 77.9%, said State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj.
"The figure has emerged from the Economic Survey 2025, reflecting significant progress in the expansion of literacy in the country," he said.
He made the remarks at a press conference held at the meeting room of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education at secretariat today (7 September), ahead of International Literacy Day 2026 to be observed tomorrow (8 September).
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Hajjaj said reaching a literacy rate of more than 77% is undoubtedly an encouraging achievement. "However, a large section of the population still remains outside access to basic education rights and necessary skills. Rapidly making out-of-school children, dropout adolescents, marginalised communities and disadvantaged adults literate and skilled is now one of the government's priorities."
At the press conference, the state minister said literacy in the current context cannot remain limited to merely signing one's name or recognising the alphabet. Keeping this year's Unesco-set International Literacy Day theme-"Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity"-in focus, literacy is being linked with employment, life skills, digital capabilities and environmental awareness.
He said "Effective Literacy and Practical Skills Training" is currently being conducted in the sadar upazilas of all 64 districts through the Bureau of Non-Formal Education. In the first phase, 4,198 of the 4,312 registered dropout students have passed according to the standards of the Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework (BNQF). Of them, 3,882, or 92.47%, have secured opportunities for permanent employment, apprenticeships in decent work or becoming new entrepreneurs, he added.
Hajjaj further said the "Adult and Functional Literacy for Ability Enhancement Programme (ALFA)" has been adopted, in line with the "Each One Teach One" model, to make those deprived of institutional education self-reliant and to make the country free from illiteracy. The plan will be implemented based on the global model.
Responding to questions from journalists about teacher recruitment and training for the new subject to be introduced in Class Four, the state minister said an initial textbook on Sports and Cultural Education is being provided in Class Four. The full curriculum will be implemented when this batch moves to Class Five in 2028. For now, assistant teachers will receive theoretical training. At the same time, experts from the ministries of sports and culture will be involved through PTIs/PTCs, he added.
Regarding the appointment and legal proceedings concerning head teachers, he said around 35,400 head teacher posts were vacant or involved in legal processes. Discussions have begun with the Public Service Commission (PSC) so that teacher recruitment and posting to these posts can be ensured as quickly as possible.
Reaffirming the commitment to "Bangladesh First", the state minister said the government is working sincerely, with the collective participation of the media, non-governmental organisations and civil society, to build a literate, technology-conscious Bangladesh capable of competing globally.
Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Jesmin Nahar, Director General (Additional Charge) of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education Monowara Ishrat, Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi, and senior officials were present at the press conference.
