To bring four crore people into light of literacy, non-formal education will be more effective: Bobby Hajjaj

He said this in his speech as the chief guest at a discussion and non-formal education award ceremony organized on the occasion of International Literacy Day-2026 at the auditorium of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education in Tejgaon, Dhaka on Tuesday.

The state minister said, about 22 percent of people in the country are still outside literacy and institutional education. A large portion of them are adults. Besides, many school-age children are also outside institutional education. Therefore, maximum importance must be given to bringing this population back into the mainstream of education and skills.

He said, the Bureau of Non-Formal Education must be turned into one of the strongest and most empowered institutions of the country. Along with making ongoing activities more result-oriented, he emphasized redefining the scope of various projects, reorganizing them and setting new priorities.

Bobby Hajjaj said, no child will remain out of school—this is the government's goal. In addition to education based on ethics and values, children must be given the opportunity to acquire such skills so that they can build their own careers in the future.

The state minister called for spending education sector budget funds not only on constructing buildings but also on improving the quality of education, bringing children back to school, increasing literacy and developing skills.

He further said, merely increasing the literacy rate is not enough. Education must be ensured that will improve people's standard of living, build values and enhance their ability to play an effective role in working life.

At the event, chaired by Monowara Ishrat, Director General of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education, Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Jasmin Nahar, Additional Secretary Md. Mokhleshur Rahman, along with officials from the ministry, Directorate of Primary Education, Bureau of Non-Formal Education and representatives from various development partner organizations were present.