Kathmandu, Feb. 24: Prime Minister and Education Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai today honoured the schools securing best results in the S. L. C. examinations of 2055 B.S. at national and regional level by presenting the birendra Vidya Shield, cash prizes and certificates at a function organised by the 25th National Education Day main organising committee to mark the occasion.

On the occasion, mr Bhattarai also presented the shields, prizes and certificates to the school securing best results from among the secondary schools in remote districts, and the players who were awarded in the 19th national Athletics Tournament for their good performance.

Budhanilkantha Boarding Secondary School received the national level Birendra Vidya Padak or medal.

Similarly, those receiving the regional level Birendra Vidya Padaks are Bijayapur Boarding Secondary School Dahran, Small Heaven Secondary School Chitwan, Gandaki Secondary Boarding School, Pokhara, Angels Secondary School, Nepalgunj and Aishwarya Vidya Niketan, Dhangadhi from the eastern, central, mid-western, western and far western development regions respectively.

Similarly, Ratna Secondary School, Bajura also received the shield, prize and certificate from among the secondary schools in remote districts for its best results.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister spoke of the need to promote the quality of education and engage in generating skilled manpower needed for the country.

The government has worked out programmes designed to remove illiteracy within the next seven years, he added.

Minister of State for Education Rajendra Kharel remarked that the government has laid stress on the need of quality and good education to have an edge in the 21st century.

Education secretary Jayaram Giri and Director General of the Department of Education Chandra Bahadur Khadka also spoke at the function chaired by member of the National Planning Commission Dr Nirmal Prasad Pandey.

On the occasion it was also informed that a total of 300 persons including university teachers, school teachers and employees contributing to education were awarded.

A cultural programme was also presented on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Minister for Education and Chairman of the 25th National Education Day main organising  committee Krishna Prasad Bhattarai hosted a dinner at the Prime Minister’s residence, Baluwatar on the occasion of the National Education Day today.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Information and Communications Ram Chandra Paudel, Minister of State for Education Rajendra Kharel, former education ministers and personalities involved in the education sector were present.