Dhaka: Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid on Friday called upon the new generation to get ready to take the lead in the future to advance Bangladesh's progress.

"The new generation must be built properly. They'll have to work for the country's development...they must be prepared with technical knowledge and skilled," he told a function at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium in the capital.

Speaking as the chief guest, Nahid said the government is now distributing textbooks free of cost and providing scholarship and stipend among students, and they should utilise the facilities.

Noting that the students are the architects of modern Bangladesh as they will lead all sectors in the future, he said, "We want to build a country which will be free from hunger and poverty by 2021."

The Education Mnister urged the private sector to come forward to help advance the country's education sector and ensure quality of education to achieve the goal.

Technical and Madrasah Education Division acting secretary Haider Ali Mollah and Thermax Group managing director Abdul Quader Mollah, among others, spoke at the function.

Later, Nahid distributed stipends among the children of the officials of his ministry.