DHAKA: The government is working to achieve cent-percent literacy in the country by the year 2014, ensuring education for all the children aged 6-18, an international meet in Dhaka was told Monday, as Bangladesh still hosts a large number of illiterates.  

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Motahar Hossain spoke of the government’s education planning as he inaugurated a three-day international workshop.  

“Some 48.50 percent adult people are still illiterate in the country, which is higher than some of our neighbouring countries,” the minister told his audience.

United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has organized the workshop on Capacity Development of Non Formal Education- (NFE).

He expressed the hope that the literacy rate in the country would increase if the private sector came forward alongside government initiative.

Derek Elias, Office-in-charge of UNESCO Bangladesh, said the quality of the teachers engaged in the NEP should be developed for raising the total literacy rate of the country.

He also said the participating countries would exchange their experiences regarding the current situation of NEP which could help take new plans in adult education.

Host Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Thailand are sharing their experiences in the workshop. Researchers from Ethiopia and Germany are also taking part in the brainstorming over the drawbacks in education.

BDST: 1255 HRS, JULY 19, 2010