Govt seeks Tk 200b in foreign grants

BD to roll out ambitious PEDP-5 as costs rise and timelines tighten

JAHIDUL ISLAM | Published: April 04, 2026 23:30:01

Bangladesh is preparing to launch a major overhaul of its primary education system, but securing adequate external financing remains a key challenge.
With the current programme nearing completion, the government is racing to mobilise funds to avoid disruption to core education services, officials said.
The proposed fifth phase of the Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5) aims to expand access, improve quality and introduce technology-driven reforms, though its rising cost has added pressure on both domestic and foreign financing sources.
The Primary and Mass Education Ministry expects to secure a total of Tk 200 billion in foreign grants to finance the fifth phase of the Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5), to be implemented over the next five fiscal years.
In this regard, the ministry has recently written to the Economic Relations Division (ERD), requesting it to mobilise an additional Tk 130 billion in grants, over and above the Tk 70 billion already committed by development partners.
The letter to the ERD reveals that a range of activities like improving learning outcomes, reducing dropout rates, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing teacher quality were undertaken under the fourth phase of PEDP-4, which is set to expire on June 30 this year.
"Failure to roll out PEDP-5 immediately after the completion of PEDP-4 could severely disrupt regular primary education activities, with long-term adverse impacts," the letter warns.
Earlier in January this year, the primary education ministry submitted the Development Project Proposal (DPP) for PEDP-5, with an estimated total cost of Tk 450 billion, including government financing of Tk 300 billion and Tk 150 billion from foreign loans and grants.
However, the programme cost is set to rise as the government, in line with its election manifesto, has incorporated initiatives such as technology-based teaching, the "one teacher, one tab" scheme, free school uniform distribution, digital transformation, and the "one child, one tree" programme to promote climate-resilient development.
The letter also noted that PEDP-5 has been designed as a more expansive and ambitious programme than its predecessor, with provisions for foundational learning, inclusive education, teacher training, infrastructure expansion, transitioning from double to single shifts, and education support for disadvantaged and special-needs children.
Preparation and formulation of the DPP for PEDP-5 are now at the final stage, and the proposal has been sent to the Planning Ministry for approval, said Abu Noor Md Shamsuzzaman, Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education.
He said there is no problem with the revenue budget, but some constraints remain in securing foreign grants.
"We have already received some assurances of external funding, and the ERD is expected to coordinate with development partners," he said.
He expressed hope that the foreign grants would be finalised within the remaining three months of the ongoing PEDP-4.
Responding to a question on the higher allocation required for PEDP-5, he said the government's election manifesto includes several commitments for primary education, such as providing school uniforms to 10.6 million students, tablets for 0.37 million teachers, and transitioning double-shift schools to a single shift.
"Implementing these plans requires substantial funding, which is why the budget for PEDP-5 has increased," he explained.
The ongoing fourth phase of the Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-4), being implemented since 2018, aims to recruit skilled teachers, ensure quality education through modern technology, and improve school management, according to sources.
The programme is being implemented at a cost of Tk 328.03 billion, financed jointly by the government and development partners - including the World Bank, JICA, ADB, the EU, and UNICEF - which have contributed Tk 137.26 billion.
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