Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced an increased allocation for the education sector, raising it to 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a total of 1 lakh 36 thousand 606 crore Taka for the upcoming fiscal year. The current allocation for the 2025-26 fiscal year was 87 thousand 206 crore Taka, representing 1.39% of GDP. The Finance Minister also outlined a goal to increase the education sector allocation to 5% of GDP within the next five years, in line with electoral promises. The total budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is 9 lakh 38 thousand crore Taka.
The Finance Minister emphasized the importance of education, stating that it is considered the 'nucleus' of national progress. The government plans to transform the curriculum to instill moral values, social responsibility, leadership qualities, and human character development among students. Technical and vocational education, a third language, sports and cultural development, technology-based education, and 'Learning with Happiness' will be given special importance.
The new curriculum will include a mandatory third language such as Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Arabic, French, or German. The government will also encourage experiential, analytical, and application-based learning instead of rote memorization. Co-curricular activities like debate, science fairs, cultural events, and literary practices will be promoted. Regular sports competitions and tournaments will be organized at institutional, district, and national levels. The expansion of Scouts, BNCC, and Girls Guides activities will be given utmost importance.
Technical education will be introduced from class six onwards to transform Bangladesh into a skill-based economy. Girls will receive free education up to the graduate level, and the 'Mid Day Meal' program will be expanded nationwide. Health services, including sanitation and hygiene for female students and teachers, will be ensured. Technology-based education initiatives like 'One Teacher, One Tab,' multimedia classrooms, free Wi-Fi, unique student IDs, digital libraries, and AI, robotics, coding, and digital literacy programs will be implemented.
The 'One Child, One Tree' program, environmental conservation, climate awareness education, canal excavation, cleanliness, and social development activities will involve students. Disaster management and prevention awareness programs will be conducted. Pet animal rearing will be encouraged. A strong 'Industry-Academia Linkage' will be established to provide apprenticeship, internship opportunities, and startup initiatives for students.
The Finance Minister mentioned the goal of transforming 'Brain Drain' into 'Brain Circulation' by involving globally knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced Bangladeshis in the country's education and research system. International credit transfer systems, student exchange programs, summer schools, visiting scholar initiatives, and joint research activities will be launched. The quality of science, mathematics, English, and IT education for madrasa students will be improved, and job-oriented training programs will be introduced. Competitive skills for higher education and employment will be enhanced, and access to digital education and modern educational materials will be ensured.
