Edu budget up with 1.53pc of GDP

Staff Reporter :

The government has proposed to allocate only 1.53 per cent of the GDP to the education sector in the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26), continuing a long-standing trend of underinvestment in education despite reiterating its commitment to ensuring quality education, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, while presenting the national budget via a pre-recorded televised speech, announced a proposed allocation of Tk95,644 crore for the education sector. The amount marks a 13.44 per cent increase from the Tk84,311 crore in the revised budget for FY25.

However, as a share of GDP, the allocation remains nearly stagnant rising only marginally from 1.52 per cent in FY25 to 1.53 per cent in FY26. This figure falls significantly short of the 4-6% of GDP recommended under UNESCO’s Education 2030 Framework for Action to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education.

“There is no alternative to science, technology or technical education to build a strong economic structure,” said the finance adviser. “This year’s budget has given special priority to creating the environment for a science-based, technology-driven and employment-oriented education.”

Despite the rhetoric, the budget continues the trend of education receiving less than 2 per cent of GDP a pattern observed for over two decades.

Given the significance of primary and mass education, Finance Adviser has proposed an allocation of Tk 35,403 crore for the sector in FY2025-26.

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 year, the government has already constructed 5,946 classrooms, 17,164 wash blocks, and installed 4,450 tubewells in primary schools across the country.

Besides, 21,278 classrooms, 18,476 wash blocks and 6,984 tubewells 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 (EFT), 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 program in the next fiscal year.