International Literacy Day today

Like other countries around the globe, Bangladesh is observing the International Literacy Day-2026 tuesday in a befitting manner.

The official theme for International Literacy Day 2026 is ‘Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity.’

The Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has taken different programmes marking the day.

To mark the day, detailed programmes have been taken at the central and field levels under the guidance of the ministry.

As part of the central programme, a discussion and 'Non-Formal Education Awards' distribution ceremony is being held at BNFE auditorium in the capital this morning.


United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1967 officially declared September 8 as International Literacy Day, marking a significant 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 struggling with illiteracy.

On Tuesday, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate message on the occasion.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the Secretariat, ahead of International Literacy Day 2026, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj informed that the literacy rate among the population aged seven years and above in Bangladesh has risen to 77.9 per cent.

"The figure has emerged from the Economic Survey 2025, reflecting significant progress in the expansion of literacy in the country," he said.

Hajjaj said reaching a literacy rate of more than 77 per cent 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," he said.

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.

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.