The budget for FY 2024–25, unveiled on June 6, includes a significant increase in education funding, with a proposed allocation of BDT 94,710 crore, a 7.42% rise from the previous fiscal year. Emphasising the creation of "smart citizens" for a "prosperous and smart Bangladesh," the government has dedicated 11.88% of the total budget to education.
Breaking down the budget, BDT 38,819 crore has been earmarked for primary and mass education, up from BDT 34,722 crore last year. For secondary and higher education, the allocation is BDT 44,108 crore, compared to BDT 42,839 crore in FY 2023-24. The Technical and Madrasa Education Division will receive BDT 11,783 crore, an increase from BDT 10,602 crore.
While the increased budget aligns with the government's emphasis on education, it still falls short of global standards. Spending on education has remained below 2% of GDP over the past 15 years, one of the lowest among the least developed countries. UNESCO recommends investing 6% of GDP in education.
Professor Mohammad Mojibur Rahman of Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research expressed concern over this trend. "We should aim to get closer to UNESCO's recommendation. Unfortunately, the state administrators seem to prioritize areas other than education, leading to insufficient investment," he said.
Despite the proposed budget's potential, past underinvestment raises concerns. In the outgoing fiscal year, only BDT 5,502 crore of the allocated BDT 14,086 crore for Secondary and Higher Education Vision was spent. Tanvir Sobhan, Senior Lecturer at BRAC University's Department of Economics and Social Science, emphasized the need for qualitative spending. "Inefficiencies and corruption can lead to overspending. Justifying the spending amount is crucial," he stated.
The government has introduced a new science-based, up-to-date curriculum for 2023. Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, highlighted training programs for nearly 300,000 class teachers, 30,000 headmasters, and 600 education officials, alongside the distribution of science equipment and other materials to educational institutions.
However, the success of the new curriculum hinges on the quality of teachers. Investment in training human resources is essential to ensure teachers can effectively implement the curriculum.
Education is crucial for social mobility, skill development, and improving quality of life. The increased budget, if spent wisely, could significantly enhance education in Bangladesh. However, accountability and strategic investment are key to ensuring these funds effectively shape the nation's future.
