Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday urged all citizens irrespective ol party affiliations to actively join the literacy programme to make it a success within the shortest possible time, reports BSS

"Let us declare in one voice that we will free our country from the curse of illiteracy by the year 2000". she appealed to the people at a function in the city in ob servance of the International Literacy Day

The Prime Minister said her government had taken all steps to remove illiteracy for accelerating the pace of de velopmenl. and making the people conscious of their rights dignity and responsibilities.

We are firmly committed to eradicate illiteracy from the country by the year 2000. she affirmed

Begum Zia also gave ut most importance on educa tion to help maintain the hard earned democracy and democratic spirit

Organised by the Primary and Mass Education Division at Osmany Memorial Hall an ditorium. the function was also addressed by Deputy Leader of the Jatiya Sangsad Prof A y M Badruddoza Chowdhury as special guest former education advisor

Azizul Huq. noted education-isi Dr Abdullah Al-Muti Sliartuddin and secretary of the Primary and Mass Education Division Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed.

The Prime Minister distributed awards among the best teachers for their notable contributions in the programmes of non-formal education, basic education and adult education.

The Prime Minister said her government has been making the highest budgetary allocations in education sec tor every year.

Referring to the intro due lion of compulsory primary education and food for education programme, Begum Zia said these measures had helped raise the rate of literacy to 37 per cent in the last four years.

She said the government had also introduced non for rnal education and adult edu cation programmes.

The Prime Minister said that the inhabitants of l.almonirhat district had now been freed from the curse of illiteracy through the cooper ation of l he people of all shades ol opinion.

The programmes of overall education movement . she said, had been taken In the district of Bhola. She hoped this movement would be expanded to each district and thana of the country.

Non-forma1 education programme. Begum Zia said, would be introduced throughout the country from next January.

Referring to the introduction of free education for the girl students at secondary level outside the municipal areas, the Prime Minister said this programme would be introduced in the municipal areas also from the next

Infrastructures in the field of educaUon. she said, had been strengthened to ensure education for all.

In his speech. Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury underlined the need for imparting life-oriented and production-oriented education to the people. He also urged all political parties to play a responsible role In eradicating Illiteracy