"There is no alternative to female education for the progress of the country," he said.

The mayor was addressing as the chief guest a prize giving ceremony of Mission Girls' High School on Thursday.

He urged the guardians and others to extend their whole-hearted cooperation towards the expansion of female education.

Listing various development programmes undertaken by the government, Minu said Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is putting in her best efforts to make the girls educated for their self-reliance.