Allocations for education sector elevated to 2.0pc of GDP

The proposed budget for FY 2026-27 has seen a substantial increase in the allocations for the education sector.
The Finance and Planning has proposed Tk 1,366.06 billion worth of allocation for the sector for the next budget compared to Tk 872.06 billion in the current fiscal's revised budget. (2025-26).
The proposed allocation for the next fiscal represents 2.0 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while the percentage was 1.39 per cent in the revised budget of the outgoing fiscal.
The government has set a definitive target to gradually elevate the education sector funding to 5.0 per cent of GDP over the next five years, the minister said in his budget speech.
"The future of a nation is determined by the knowledge, skills, values, creativity, and productive capacity of its people," he said.
He also outlined a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming the country into a skills-based economy.
The fresh fiscal blueprint signals a structural shift from infrastructure-centred investment to quality enhancement, teacher training, and workforce readiness, said the minister.
As part of a major curriculum overhauling, technical and vocational training will be made mandatory for all students from Class VI onwards.
To bridge the digital divide, the government has planned to introduce the 'One Teacher, One Tab' initiative, rolls out unique Edu-IDs, and expands free Wi-Fi access across educational institutions, he said.
Besides, to promote global competitiveness, a student loan facility of up to Tk 1.0 million has been introduced to support higher studies and third-language learning abroad, he mentioned.
The proposed allocation under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) places the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education at Tk 214.41 billion, while the Secondary and Higher Education Division will receive Tk 208.35 billion.
To transform Bangladesh into a skills-based economy, technical education will be progressively introduced for all students from Class VI onwards, said the minister.
The minister said a move is underway to incorporate a mandatory third language --such as Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Arabic, French, or German - into the curriculum alongside Bangla and English.

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