DAM has been giving the award since 2001 in memory of Chand Sultana, one of the pioneers of non-formal education in the country.

On receiving the award, Habibur said education should be imparted not in mechanical way but in organic manner that requires empathy of the persons receiving the education.

He said commercialisation of education hurts the spirit of the movement 'education for all' and called for social commitment to spread education to every nook and corner of the country.

Habibur said multinational companies operating in Bangladesh should spend part of their profits for promoting non-formal education in the country.

Commenting on the scarcity of reading materials for the children he said Save the Children USA conducted recently a study on the content of the children's books available in the market, and found that out of hundreds of books only 29 were up to the mark.

Speaking as chief guest at the programme, eminent educationist Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed said as children's text books are not child-friendly, the tenderly students do not find any interest in reading them, they just cram for their examinations.

On the quality of education he said, "If teachers are half-fed, we cannot expect quality education from them," adding, "There should be special incentives for teachers so that meritorious students come to this profession."

DAM Executive Director Kazi Rafiqul Alam said 58 percent of the country's population are still illiterate, and they can be imparted basic education through non-formal education.

He said thousands of NGO workers are striving hard to impart basic education to lakhs of people nation-wide.

To recognise their contribution to human development, DAM awards each year one person for his/her outstanding contribution in this field.