Coaching Centers and Note-Guides to be Banned in Primary Education: Bobby Hajjaj

Speaking at a discussion titled "Education Budget: Lessons from the Budget" organized by the Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Minister revealed that the government is developing a new curriculum designed to foster a joyful learning environment where students learn through play and storytelling. He emphasized that these changes are not hasty decisions but are being implemented through a well-planned process involving consultations with all relevant stakeholders.

The State Minister also detailed plans to expand the scope of free primary education. Currently provided up to the fifth grade, free education will be gradually extended to the eighth grade across the country. Addressing the challenges of digital integration, the Minister noted that the lack of security guards in 65,000 government primary schools poses a risk to multimedia classroom equipment. Consequently, the government is prioritizing fundamental structural issues before full-scale technological implementation. Additionally, in an effort to prepare children as global citizens, a program is set to launch that will introduce a third language alongside Bengali and English.

During the event, CAMPE formally demanded increased investment in the education sector for the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year. A 21-point memorandum, based on the opinions of 24,000 citizens, was handed over to the State Minister, proposing that education should receive at least 20% of the national budget or 2.5% of the GDP. To bridge budget gaps, the memorandum suggested utilizing 30% of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and introducing an "Education Cess" similar to the model used in India. Such initiatives aim to align Bangladesh’s educational funding with standards seen in emerging economies and NATO-member nations to ensure long-term sustainability.