Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said ensuring education for all is the government's top priority as it is the main tool for building a poverty-free nation.

"Education for all is of utmost importance…to build a hunger- and poverty-free nation. Without modern and competitive education, a nation can't survive in the global arena," she said.

She said this at a ceremony marking the handover of SSC and equivalent examination results at her office.

She also thanked the education ministry for introducing a new system under which answer scripts are checked by third examiners for the proper evaluation of the performance of candidates.

"The decision to introduce the new system was a very timely one as the proper evaluation of candidates is very important, and the pass rate has declined slightly for that," she said.

Putting emphasis on science-based education, Hasina said the government has introduced multimedia classrooms in 23,500 schools, while computer labs are being set up in different schools.

Hasina said the government will set up residential schools and colleges in char, haor and hilly areas so that students could attend classes regularly.

At the ceremony, she greeted successful students for their results and advised those who could not succeed not to be frustrated.

Later, the PM exchanged views with students and teachers of Sherpur and Sathkhira districts through a videoconference.

PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum, Education Secretary Sohrab Hossain, Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and chairmen of the 10 education boards were present.