Nearly 37.5 million people still illiterate in Bangladesh

The literacy rate in Bangladesh stands at 77.09 percent, but still 37.5 million people are illiterate, reveals the latest Bangladesh Economic Review. About 22.91 percent of the population aged seven years and above is still excluded from the literacy scenario.

The illiterate population consists of out-of-school and dropout children and adults who are denied the opportunity of education. Government’s definition of literacy includes more than just reading and writing skills, but also understanding and communication, and basic mathematical ability.

The huge illiterate population presents a great challenge for the government’s aim of declaring Bangladesh illiteracy-free country by 2030. The experts have demanded for a new database of the illiterate people and area-wise programmes for their inclusion in the literacy programme.

Professor Emeritus Manzoor Ahmed of BRAC University noted that Bangladesh has done very well in terms of literacy campaign, but still there is a big challenge before the government. He emphasised the need for new database and programmes on a large scale at local levels.

International Literacy Day is being celebrated Tuesday (September 8) in Bangladesh with the theme, "Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity."