Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced today that the government plans to gradually increase the national budget allocation for the education sector to 5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next five years.

Speaking during the budget session of the National Parliament on Wednesday, the Prime Minister emphasized that improving the quality of education remains a top priority, in line with the government's election manifesto.

"By increasing budget allocations to enhance educational quality and infrastructure, we aim to bring the student dropout rate down to zero," the Prime Minister stated in response to a written question from Member of Parliament (MP) Md. Zahidul Islam Dholu.

Current Budgetary Progress
Highlighting immediate steps taken, the Prime Minister noted that for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the government has increased education funding to 2% of the GDP—a milestone achievement. Key allocations for the current fiscal year include:

Secondary Education Development Program (SEDP): A total allocation of 4.199 billion BDT has been earmarked, with 3.599 billion BDT designated for the Secondary and Higher Education Division and 600 million BDT for the Technical and Madrasah Education Division.

Teacher Training: Under the 'Learning Acceleration in Secondary Education' project, 810 million BDT has been allocated to provide professional training to 347,021 teachers and institutional heads. The training curriculum covers diverse areas, including subject-specific development, leadership, ICT, blended learning, library management, mental health, bullying prevention, and climate change awareness.

Infrastructure Development: The government has allocated 3.0409 billion BDT for the development of secondary-level institutional infrastructure. Furthermore, five distinct projects, including the 'Primary Education Development Program-5 (PEDP-5),' have been initiated to upgrade infrastructure in government primary schools.

Initiatives to Curb Dropout Rates
To address student dropouts, the government is implementing a comprehensive support strategy. Beyond the distribution of free textbooks and stipends, the Prime Minister announced the introduction of several new welfare measures:

School Feeding Program: Enhancing nutrition to encourage consistent school attendance.

Student Support: Distribution of school uniforms and the provision of sports equipment to foster a more engaging and joyful learning environment.

Financial Assistance: A total of 1.3 billion BDT has been allocated for the distribution of free textbooks, while 5.53475 billion BDT has been set aside for stipends and merit scholarships for secondary-level students.

The Prime Minister reiterated that these targeted interventions are designed to make primary and secondary education more accessible, ensuring that no student is left behind due to financial constraints or inadequate facilities.