Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said there is no alternative to education I'-alleviating poverty, developing sex to economic condition and nourishing a healthy political culture, reports UNB

The government is pledgebound to build a literate nation and self-reliant country within the next 10 years . she said while addressing a discussion meeting on Role of non-formal education in eradicating illiteracy within next 10 years at the Osmanl Memorial Hall in the morning

Primary and Mass Educa lion Division of the Education Ministry organised the meeting on the occasion of Interna tlonal Literacy Day

The Prime Minister said the government has taken initiatives to establish at least one primary school in each village expand non-formal education and distribute education mate rials among the students at free of c ost

She said her government was formulating an education policy for building a well educated society within the short est possible time and to trans late Bangabandhu s dream of Sonar Bankia Into reality

Hasina said country's half of the population is women, but they are most ignored and re pressive section of the society as they are illiterate

Keeping the vast women folk illiterate, she said, develop ment was not possible Sne stressed the need for education ol women to ensure their equal participation in nation-build ing activities.

Rclerrmg to her governinen

.dlout steps to expand iemaJe education. Hasina said, female education up to higher sec ondary level has been made free and many other facilities are being given to poor and helpless families to encourage them.

Hasina called for building a social movement Involving people of all strata to achieve the goal of driving out illiteracy from the society

The Prime Minister said people s representatives can play an important role in liter ary campaign.

Hasina appreciated the role of various International and donor agencies Including the UNESCO for providing assistance in the programme She expressed the nope that the assistance would further Increase In the future

Education Minister AHSK Sadek Primary and Mass Edu ration Secretary Amirul Mulk. Dr Abdullah Al-Muti Sharfuddin. Dr Slddiqur Rah man and Kazi Fazlur Rahman also spoke on the occasion UNESCO country represents five Ansar All Khan read out a message of UNESCO Director General at the function

Later, the Prime Minister awarded medal to the Chairman of Alampur Union of Kushtia for his contribution to non formal education The others who received the awards are Gono Shahajjo Sangstha. Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Lal manlrhat Sathlk Sakkharata Sarnity" and 'Friends In Village Development’ of Khadimgaii) under Sylhet