Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday announced that the government is rolling out short, medium, and long-term plans to increase the education sector’s budget allocation to 5 percent of GDP, focusing on 43 priority areas.
“The government’s election manifesto outlined a gradual increase in education funding to 5 percent of GDP. In line with this, we have identified 43 priority areas and are implementing corresponding plans,” he said in response to a question from MP Selim Reza (Sirajganj-1) during Parliament’s question-answer session.
Tarique Rahman reiterated the government’s commitment to education as the nation’s best investment, aiming for a quality, inclusive, and life-oriented education system. Special emphasis is being placed on improving primary education, he added.
As part of this initiative, free school uniforms will be distributed to 200,000 government primary school students this fiscal year, with plans to expand the initiative to all upazilas. The government also plans to introduce school feeding programs in phases across the country to address students’ nutritional needs.
PM also highlighted plans to equip primary, secondary, and equivalent institutions with multimedia classrooms to prepare students for global competition. To bridge the digital divide, free Wi-Fi will be introduced in 1,500 educational institutions, and every student and teacher will receive a unique digital identity, or “Edu-ID.”
In response to the need for technical education, Tarique Rahman confirmed that the government plans to make it mandatory alongside general education at the secondary level. Technical schools and polytechnic institutes will be established across upazilas and districts in phases.
Moreover, the government plans to modernise madrasa education, launching free Wi-Fi in 2,336 technical institutions and 8,232 madrasas within the next 180 days. Smart classrooms will be introduced in madrasas, with teacher training and the inclusion of technical courses.
Additionally, under the ICT Division, the Bangladesh Computer Council will provide training in artificial intelligence, cyber security, mobile app development, Flutter, Python programming, and digital marketing within the next six months.
‘Family, not individuals, the core unit of development’
Responding to a question from Noakhali-1 MP AM Mahbub Uddin, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman explained that the Family Card programme is rooted in the philosophy that development should focus on families, not individuals. Launched on 10 March, the programme has already provided family cards to 37,814 households in 13 districts and three city corporations. The government plans to extend this initiative to nearly four crore marginalized families nationwide, with a particular focus on ensuring women from poor families in MPs’ constituencies receive the cards.
Tourism development prioritises safety and community
In response to Dhaka-19 MP Dewan Mohammad Salah Uddin’s question, the Prime Minister outlined the government’s tourism commitments as part of its election manifesto. These commitments include ensuring tourist safety, adopting tourism-friendly policies, providing training for tour guides, promoting culinary tourism, and expanding community, ethnic, water, and eco-tourism, along with village tourism.
The government has already drafted a National Tourism Master Plan, which includes short-, medium-, and long-term strategies. Currently, more than 30 districts have been recognized as tourist destinations. The government’s plans aim to balance development, considering local traditions and cultures while broadening tourism facilities across the regions.
Nationalisation of women’s colleges in all upazilas
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also informed Parliament that the government is considering the nationalisation of one women’s college in each upazila across the country. This initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to expand female education and provide equal opportunities for women.
In response to an inquiry from MP Ekramul Bari Tipu about the nationalisation of Manda Thana Adarsha Balika Vidyalaya and College, Tarique Rahman explained that the government values female education, particularly in significant upazilas, and plans to nationalise such institutions in phases, based on existing policies and available financial resources. The move aims to empower women and ensure equitable access to quality education nationwide.
