Strong cooperative movement could have kept every child in School: Rizvi

A sustained cooperative movement across the country could have ensured education for every child, leaving no one illiterate or out of school, said Prime Minister's Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He said a nationwide cooperative network could also have played a significant role in meeting people's basic needs, including education, nutrition and food security.

Rizvi, BNP Acting Secretary General, made the remarks while addressing a discussion as the chief guest marking the 55th National Cooperative Day in Kaliganj, Gazipur, on Sunday (November 8).

The event was organised by the Kaliganj Upazila Administration and Upazila Cooperative Department at Kalb Resort and Convention Hall in Kuchilabari (Jora Pump) area of Nagari Union.

This year's theme was "We Will Build Cooperatives, We Will Build the Country, Bangladesh for All."

Rizvi said the cooperative movement had once spread widely across the country. Had that momentum continued, every family could have had the opportunity to educate its children, ensuring that none remained illiterate or outside the school system.

He stressed that cooperatives should not be viewed merely as economic ventures, saying collective efforts could bring positive changes in education, food security and nutrition.

Harnessing the potential of cooperatives would also create development opportunities for disadvantaged sections of society, he added.

Although cooperative activities were continuing in Kaliganj, Rizvi said similar initiatives needed to be expanded nationwide.

He noted that extending cooperative-based activities from villages to upazila levels could play an effective role in improving people's living standards.

The programme was chaired by Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) A.T.M. Kamrul Islam.