Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today spoke at a discussion meeting at the Bureau of Non-Formal Education  auditorium in the capital's Tejgaon. Photo : PID

DHAKA, Sept 8, 2025 (BSS) - Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today said that the main focus of the education system must be on literacy and foundational education for children at the primary level. 

To this end, he emphasized that technology should be harnessed to promote literacy and also underscoring the need to prioritize digital literacy.

The adviser made these remarks as the chief guest while addressing a discussion meeting, organised at the Bureau of Non-Formal Education 
auditorium in the capital's Tejgaon on the occasion of International Literacy Day 2025.

Mentioning that work of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has been reorganized with a renewed focus, he said the main goal now is to ensure that every child, upon completing primary school, is able to read fluently in their mother tongue, understand what they read, write clearly, and know the basic arithmetic.

"Without foundational learning, the entire education is become futile," he asserted.

Prof Bidhan pointed out that while enrollment rates have increased, the dropout rate has also risen to an alarming level. 

He cited poverty as a major contributing factor for it, saying that the Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) is playing an important role in this 
regard. 

Notably, he highlighted, "Skills for Project" programme has shown positive results in developing the skills of dropout children and linking them to employment opportunities.

The adviser observed that there is a notable skills gap even among higher degree holders, saying many graduates and postgraduates are applying for jobs meant for SSC and HSC level candidates, indicating that the education system is still not aligned with the labor market.

Calling for a shift from clerical education to one that emphasizes technical and job-oriented learning, he said, "For the progress of the nation, 
practical and technology-based education is essential." 

Quoting the example of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, he said, "It is not education alone, but participation in industry and commerce that can lead to national development."

He warned that without a change in mindset, the number of unemployed educated individuals will continue to rise. "To pull the country forward, a fundamental reform of the education system is urgently needed," he added.

With Primary and Mass Education Secretary Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana in the chair, Youth and Sports Secretary Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam and UNESCO Representative in Bangladesh Susan Vize also spoke on the occasion. 

The welcome address was delivered by Director General of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education Debabrata Chakraborty.

At the event, the Non-Formal Education Recognition 2025 was presented in two categories: individual and institutional. 

In the individual category, Pradip Biswas from Monirampur upazila in Jashore received the award while in the institutional category, Underprivileged Children's Educational Programs (UCEP) Bangladesh was honored.