Illiteracy is dragging us behind

Although education is the backbone of a nation, we are lagging behind compared to other nations of the world in respect of universal literacy. After 46 years of independence, we are yet to achieve 100 per cent literacy. While Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam and neighbouring India have literacy rates of 92, 92, 94 and 72 respectively, the present literacy rate in Bangladesh is only 61 per cent. We must accelerate our efforts to increase literacy rate, otherwise the country cannot prosper. We must eradicate illiteracy from our society, otherwise we cannot remove poverty. The most crucial factor in our fight against poverty is literacy.

Experts opine that budgetary allocation for education is not adequate enough and should be further increased. We see religious extremism spreading across the country and we shall be able to tackle it only if there is universal literacy in the country. The government is trying hard to have enhanced quality of education and I am sure it will be able to bring about qualitative changes in the present education system. Education is not an expense rather it is the best investment to change the world for the better!

Roksana Sultana

Uttara, Dhaka