Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday proposed an allocation of Tk 95,644 crore for the education sector in the national budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, reflecting an increase from the Tk 7,482 crore allocated in the current fiscal.
The announcement was made during the presentation of the national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The budget speech, which was pre-recorded, was broadcast on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar, reports UNB.
Recognising it as essential for establishing a strong economic foundation, Salehuddin said that the interim government has placed special emphasis on building a science-driven, technology-based and employment-oriented education system this year.
Science, technology and technical education have been prioritised to create a conducive learning environment that meets the demands of a modern workforce, he said.
Primary and mass education
Given the significance of primary and mass education, the finance adviser has proposed an allocation of Tk 35,403 crore for the sector in FY26.
“As the foundation of a child’s cognitive development is shaped in primary education, the government has initiated a series of short, medium and long-term reforms,” he said.
These reforms are being undertaken based on recommendations from a consultation committee formed to enhance the quality of primary education and ensure a supportive learning environment.
In the current fiscal, the administration has already constructed 5,946 classrooms, 17,164 wash blocks, and installed 4,450 tube wells in primary schools across the country. Besides, some 21,278 classrooms, 18,476 wash blocks, and 6,984 tube wells are currently under construction.
As part of its commitment to accessible and quality education, a total of 91.95 crore textbooks have been distributed among students from pre-primary to class five in the current academic year.
All primary-level students are now receiving stipends through Electronic Fund Transfer, ensuring transparency and timely disbursement.
Meanwhile, the ‘Government Primary School Feeding Program’ will be expanded to 150 Upazilas at a cost of Tk 5,452 crore. The initiative aims to boost student enrolment, improve nutrition, and enhance classroom attendance. An allocation of Tk 2,164 crore has been proposed for the programme in the upcoming fiscal.
Secondary and higher education
Additionally, the government has proposed a total allocation of Tk 47,563 crore for the development of Secondary and Higher Education sector, risen from Tk 44,109 crore of the current fiscal year.
To improve the quality of education, existing textbooks at the secondary and higher secondary levels have been revised and updated. To align higher education with international standards, curricula at all private universities have been modernised based on the globally accepted Outcome-Based Education (OBE) model.
Currently, some 62 projects are underway under the Secondary and Higher Education Division, with an allocation of Tk 1,957 crore dedicated to enhancing educational infrastructure and related initiatives.
The interim government has also provided stipends to 51 lakh underprivileged but meritorious students at the secondary level, eight lakh at the higher secondary level, and one lakh sixty-five thousand at the undergraduate level during the current fiscal year.
Additionally, Tk 1,626 crore has been proposed for the distribution of updated textbooks among secondary and higher secondary students.
In the meantime, recognising the growing importance of technical and vocational education for job creation both at home and abroad, a Tk 12,678 crore has been proposed for the Technical and Madrasa Education sector in FY26, up from Tk 11,783 crore of the current fiscal year.