PM says govt implementing multi-phase plans across 43 areas in education sector

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday told the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that the government has identified 43 priority areas in the education sector and is implementing short-, medium-, and long-term plans, with a goal of raising education spending to 5% of GDP.

He made the remarks while responding to a tabled question from treasury bench MP Md Salim Reza of Sirajganj-1, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, presiding over the session.

Rahman, who also chairs the ruling BNP, said the current democratic government views education as the most important investment for the country and is committed to building a quality, life-oriented and inclusive system.

He noted that the government’s election manifesto includes a pledge to gradually increase education funding to 5% of GDP.

“In line with that goal, the government is implementing short-, medium-, and long-term plans after identifying 43 areas in the education sector,” he said, adding that the manifesto places special emphasis on improving the quality of primary education.

As part of these initiatives, he said, 200,000 primary school students will receive free uniforms during the current fiscal year, with plans to gradually expand the programme to all upazilas nationwide.

The Prime Minister also said the government plans to introduce school feeding or mid-day meal programmes in phases across all upazilas to address students’ nutritional needs.